By John McArdle, CQ-Roll Call

With many eyes trained on candidate recruitment efforts against Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson in Florida’s 8th district, it appears the focus is turning to one high-profile potential challenger — former state Sen. Dan Webster.

Republican State Rep. Steve Precourt said Tuesday he “firmly” believes Webster will announce his candidacy in the coming days, and Precourt promised to do his “level best” to help the Republican beat the vulnerable freshman Democrat, who is close to the top of the GOP’s 2010 target list.

Precourt’s name had been in the mix as a possible candidate and his comments come one day after Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty took himself out of consideration for the race, noting that he “is not a good fit at this time.”

GOP State Sen. Andy Gardiner is another well-known lawmaker being mentioned as a possible candidate in the race.

But Webster, a one-time Senate candidate who is viewed as the biggest name in the GOP field, told Orlando newspapers Monday that he plans to make his political plans known this week.

Precourt, a Webster ally, noted that his assumption about Webster’s candidacy is not based on any specific conversation between the two. However, Webster “has not said ‘no’ and it’s not like him to let it go this long” unless he was making a serious commitment, Precourt said. “I’m highly vested in Sen. Webster running.”

Grayson, who was already expected to be a top target next year, has drawn fire from the GOP ever since he charged that Republicans want the sick to “die quickly.” He has refused to apologize for the remark and turned it into a fundraising bonanza for his campaign.

CQ Politics rates the race “Leans Democratic.”

To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map.