Former Rep. Ed Case (D) is running for Congress again, this time in retiring Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s (D) district.

Case, who represented the 2nd district for five years, announced Saturday that he would seek the Democratic nod in the Honolulubased 1st district. Abercrombie is running for governor in 2010.

“Congressman Abercrombie’s departure will leave a huge puka in our congressional delegation at a critical time for our Hawai’i and country, and we must fill it without missing a beat,— Case said in a statement. “I can and will put my seniority, experience and relationships in D.C. to work on our challenges from day one.—

But Case isn’t the only Democrat looking at Abercrombie’s seat. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, state House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and former state Rep. Brian Schatz have also been mentioned as possible candidates.

What’s more, Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou (R) started fundraising for the 2010 race more than a year ago — although the district is an uphill climb for any Republican candidate. Djou welcomed Case to the race in a statement.

“I enjoyed serving with Ed in the State legislature and I know that he has had a difficult time deciding which seat to run for,— Djou said. “I welcome the competition now that he has decided to run for the 1st Congressional district even though he represented the 2nd.—