MOSES LAKE - A Kennewick TEA party activist is challenging incumbent Fourth District Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., for his seat this fall.

Jamie Wheeler, 46, is a member of the Tri-Cities TEA Party and Washington state director for FairTax.org. She announced this week she's running to represent Central Washington against Hastings, who she says isn't standing up for the Fair Tax Bill, a national sales tax that would replace all other forms of federal taxation.

The bill was introduced in Congress but hasn't gained the support necessary for a vote.

Wheeler also reportedly supports reducing government expenditures and the national debt, and describes herself as "pro-gun, pro-family and pro-free speech."

She announced her candidacy at the Tri-Cities TEA Party "Tax Day" rally in Richland, according to several local news sources.

Hastings' previous challenger, Democrat Jay Clough of West Richland, dropped out of the race in February to run instead for Washington's 8th Legislative District. He said working at the state level would allow him to better balance his time between family and serving the district.

"My daughter is now 11 months old and I don't want to miss a minute of this time with her," he said recently. "With the larger district, I would have to be away from home even more than the last election cycle."

Central Washington Democrats have yet to endorse a candidate to replace Clough.

In a recent letter soliciting campaign support, Hastings, who has held his position since 1995, stated he's seeking re-election to "stand up for the interests and values" of Central Washington taxpayers.

"I have stood up to the liberal agenda, voted against bailouts and 'ObamaCare,' and cast my vote for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution," he stated. "In doing so, I've made some powerful enemies who would like nothing better than to see me go down to defeat just seven months from now."