In the first moves among 8th Congressional District Democrats eyeing the June 10 primary to nominate a replacement for retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, two likely candidates made their plans known today, with Arlington County Board member Jay Fisette announcing that he will not seek the nomination, and Arlington-based State Del. Patrick Hope announcing the formation of an “exploratory committee” to review factors involved in a prospective run for the job.

Hope stated in a press release today that the challenge will be to attain the seniority that Rep. Moran has on the House Appropriations Committee, and said he would “be able to build the necessary seniority.”