Political novice Kathy Dahlkemper looked like a seasoned veteran as she scored a decisive victory for the Democratic nomination in the 3rd District of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dahlkemper, 49, never seemed intimidated by the primary process or the prospect of facing seven-term Republican incumbent Phil English in November.

Dahlkemper, whose campaign was run flawlessly by Tina Mengine, top aide to former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi, knows that defeating English is going to be difficult. But Dahlkemper couldn't be facing a more vulnerable English, whose party must defend the controversial Iraq war and a wounded economy overseen by an unpopular president.

But English, who has a reputation for being a strong, aggressive campaigner, also is experienced, well financed and politically savvy.

Dahlkemper's gender might work in her favor. Even if Hillary Clinton isn't on top of the Democratic ticket in the general election campaign, voters seem to be in a mood to vote for female candidates. If gender wasn't the main reason for Dahlkemper's victory Tuesday, it played some part in a race against three male candidates.

Will the fact that Dahlkemper is a woman play a role in a tough race against English? We suspect it will. Dahlkemper is also a fresh face running as a candidate representing change.

But English is a formidable candidate with all of the institutional advantages a seven-term congressman brings to the campaign.

In responding to Dahlkemper's win, English pointed to his experienced voice in Congress and many of his accomplishments. "I'm the only candidate in this race who can point to real accomplishments in government," he said. "That's the message that will carry me into the fall."

English will also need to defend his record. This could be a referendum on the incumbent.

Dahlkemper, the director of the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, has no record in government, which English will try to exploit.

But for the first time since English narrowly defeated Ron DiNicola in 1996, 3rd District voters should have a great choice in November.