The state Republican Party has tapped Assemblyman Howard Mills to challenge U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer in the Democrat's bid to win re-election this year.

A brief thumbnail bio:

His father, Louis Mills, was Orange County executive. Howard Mills became a councilman in the Orange County Town of Wallkill, and then town supervisor, and then won a seat in the state Assembly.

He's conservative, but the state Conservative Party didn't endorse him because they didn't deem him conservative enough on some social issues.

What will he make a big issue this year? Homeland Security and taxes.

Schumer has upward of $20 million on hand - which may have discouraged other, higher-profile candidates. Mills has $142,000 in his campaign coffers.

It's shaping up as an ugly, anything-can-happen summer, so you never know. But a $20 million head start should have Schumer sleeping well at night.