WA-48 - Can Democrats defeat Luke Esser?

Dan Savage wonders why more progressives haven't focused on the 48th district's state senate race. Although I don't agree with all that he says, I do think this is an important race.

Esser has supported anti-gay, reactionary legislation, and routinely opposed the anti-discrimination law that finally passed in 2006. In 2004, John Kerry won the 48th district. Several months ago, Republican state rep Rodney Tom switched parties, citing how out of touch he felt the GOP had become, and announced plans to run against Esser.

Not only is Esser a roadblock in the senate, he's also a potential rising star for the GOP.

Also keep in mind that the Democrats only control the state senate by 1 vote, and they have several very conservative Democrats who have no qualms voting with the GOP. One moderate Republican, Bill Finkbeiner, is retiring, but I don't know if that seat will go to the Democrats or not (he represents Bill Gates' district, but Dave Reichert represents that in Congress, and Reichert isn't exactly moderate).

Can some of you who know this race or who live in WA tell me more about Tom's chances in the district? Is this something that more people should get behind?