Kean, a state Senator who began the race with decent favorables and a degree of statewide name identification thanks to the lasting popularity of his father, has led Menendez in most recent polls. Kean’s father is former Gov. Tom Kean (R), who recently co-chaired the 9/11 commission.

On Wednesday, the DSCC moved to shore up support for Menendez, sharing the cost of a spot that seeks to counter corruption charges stemming from a federal probe of the Senator’s relationship with a community group that rented space in a building Menendez used to own. The group was a regular recipient of

federal funds during the time it rented space from Menendez, who spent many years in the House before being appointed to the Senate in January.

Menendez campaign spokesman Brian Fallon said the ad is running on New York broadcast and statewide New Jersey cable stations.

“Federal prisoner 25038050. He’s Tom Kean Jr.’s newest adviser. The Star-Ledger reports Kean Jr. conspired with a convicted felon to smear his opponent. The Times says Kean Jr.’s smears are ‘wholly unsupported by the facts,’” begins the ad’s voice-over. “The truth: Kean Jr. sides with George Bush, would stay the failed course in Iraq, privatize Social Security, and Kean Jr. would say anything to hide that.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee said the fact that the Kean campaign was forced to consult a felon to adequately research Menendez says more about the Democrat than it does about his GOP opponent.

“Learning about Menendez is a pretty sordid undertaking,” said NRSC spokesman Dan Ronayne. “The basis of the [ad] just seems preposterous.”

In a related development, Kean is refusing any more debates with Menendez until the Democrat agrees to a face-off invitation extended to both by NBC’s “Meet The Press.”

To prove his point, Kean this week pulled out of an Oct. 14 League of Women Voters debate he previously had agreed to, with his campaign manager saying in a letter to the organization that the Republican plans to

decline all duels until Menendez agrees to submit himself to the mercy of host Tim Russert.
— David M. Drucker

Working Women Throw Support Behind Stender

Business and Professional Women USA, a group dedicated to promoting equity for women in the workplace, this week announced that its political action committee is endorsing state Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) in the 7th district race.

“We recognize Linda’s commitment to issues affecting economic equity, worklife effectiveness and civil rights,” said Elisabeth Gehl, director of public policy for BPW/USA.

Locally, the New Jersey branch will be presenting Stender with a $500 check from the PAC, according to BPW/NJ President Jeanne Jameson, as well as helping drum up support for Stender, who is trying to knock off third-term Rep. Mike Ferguson (R) in the Republican-leaning 7th district.

“We will be doing our usual drive to make sure everyone is registered in local areas, and we will, of course, be mentioning in district seven that Linda is running and please vote for her,” Jameson said. “So in that respect, we will be volunteering our efforts.”
— Tom Gottlieb

PENNSYLVANIA
A Contrite Sherwood Apologizes for Affair

Rep. Don Sherwood (R) unveiled a television ad Wednesday in which he acknowledges his extramarital affair with Cynthia Ore and asks for voters’ forgiveness.

The affair was revealed last year after a police report was leaked in which Ore alleged that Sherwood choked her after a disagreement in his Capitol Hill apartment. Sherwood never was charged with any crime, and he settled a $5.5 million lawsuit out of court with Ore in November 2005.

Sherwood released the ad after his Democratic opponent, Chris Carney, first mentioned the affair in a TV ad last week. An independent poll released this week showed the challenger in the lead.

“I made a mistake that nearly cost me the love of my wife, Carol, and our daughters. As a family, we’ve worked through this because of my deep regret, our love and the fact that the allegation of abuse was never true,” Sherwood says in the ad.

He then mentions his efforts to reduce taxes and create jobs in Pennsylvania.

“Should you forgive me, you can count on me to keep fighting hard for you and your family,” he says.

Sherwood does not appear with his family in the ad.
— Susan Davis

Green Party Candidate Is Off Nov. Senate Ballot

Sen. Rick Santorum’s (R) tough fight for re-election was dealt a blow Tuesday when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that Carl Romanelli, the Green Party Senate candidate, could not appear on the November ballot.

Santorum and his supporters had helped fund the petition drive to get Romanelli on the ballot, as his third-party candidacy likely would siphon votes away from state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D), who is giving Santorum the political fight of his life.

In a one-sentence order, the court ruled that Romanelli did not meet state requirements for signatures necessary for the petition, falling 9,000 short of the total.
— S.D.

WEST VIRGINIA
Raese Ad Throws Byrd’s Words in Senator’s Face

Sen. Robert Byrd’s (D) history of racially insensitive remarks is being highlighted anew in the latest radio advertisement from his Republican challenger, John Raese.

The ad replays portions of a 2001 Fox News interview, in which Byrd used the term “white niggers.”

“There are white niggers. I’ve seen a lot of white niggers in my time. I’m going to use that word,” Byrd is heard saying in the ad.

Raese’s camp said the spot is a response to comments the Senator made last week on PBS claiming that if the Republican challenger’s father, Dyke Raese, were still alive, he would be ashamed of his son and backing Byrd’s reelection bid.

Byrd, who has been dogged in recent years by his youthful participation in the Ku Klux Klan, apologized for the comments at the time. In response to the ad, his campaign said he continues seeking forgiveness for his past statements and actions.

“Senator Byrd believes that forgiveness is a gift, not an entitlement, and he works hard to earn the respect and forgiveness of his fellow Americans,” spokesman Mark Ferrell said in a statement. “Senator Byrd has never turned away from the errors of his youth, and freely points to his involvement with the KKK as a cautionary tale against ignorance and intolerance.”

Raese spokesman Gary Abernathy said since Byrd made the comments in his current term, they hardly can be called the result of youthful indiscretion. The ad is running statewide but likely will be replaced next week by another spot that “uses a lot of [Byrd’s] own words again,” Abernathy said.
— Tory Newmyer

MISSOURI
NRSC Investment in Senate Race Tops $2M

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is up with a new television ad in Missouri, bringing its spending above $2 million in a closely fought race that could determine the balance of power in the Senate.

At $2.3 million in independent expenditures thus far, protecting Sen. Jim Talent (R) from state Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) has emerged as a top priority of the NRSC, the incumbent’s impressive war chest notwithstanding.

“You have the [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] putting in money, and us putting in money,” NRSC spokesman Brian Walton said Wednesday. “We recognize that this is a close race.”

The ad features a black-and-white head shot of McCaskill that flips back and forth between the left and right side of the screen, and contends that the Democrat alters her views depending on her audience.

“Where does Claire McCaskill stand? Depends on your area code. In 816, in the city, she says she’s for gun control. But in 573, in the country, she says she’s against it. On TV statewide, she says she’s tough on methamphetamines,” the ad’s voice-over begins. “But Kansas City was known as the meth capital of America when she was county prosecutor. McCaskill talks about integrity, but failed to pay her property taxes for three years. She just tells you what you want to hear.”

Walton declined to say how long the 30-second statewide spot would run, but he confirmed the cost of the buy was $1.3 million. Polls have shown that the race essentially is tied.

The McCaskill campaign responded with a detailed memo outlining what it claims are a series of falsehoods contained in the ad. For example, on gun control, it reads: “McCaskill Supported Right to Own Guns. In September 2004, McCaskill affirmed her commitment to the Second Amendment. ‘I think everyone has a right to own guns. My father had a lot of them, and I grew up around them,’ McCaskill said. [Associated Press 9/10/04]”
— D.M.D.

CONNECTICUT
Giuliani Helps Simmons Fight Off His Challenger

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) continues his tour of the country on behalf of GOP Congressional candidates.

On Wednesday, the potential 2008 presidential candidate will be at a $250-a-person fundraiser for Rep. Rob Simmons (R) at the Marriott in Mystic.

Simmons aims to raise $2.5 million for the cycle, a goal he has yet to achieve, according to the Giuliani fundraising announcement.

Simmons is locked in a tight race with former state Rep. Joe Courtney (D).
— Nicole Duran

Lamont Continues to Self-Fund Campaign

Millionaire businessman Ned Lamont (D) has funneled another $500,000 into his campaign account.

Lamont has contributed $6.75 million of his own money into his effort to unseat Sen. Joe Lieberman (D).

On Tuesday Lamont and union supporters announced the formation of “Labor for Lamont” at the New Britain American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees headquarters.

In a news release, Lamont’s campaign said the unions supporting him represent 140,000 Connecticut workers.
— N.D.

Kennedy, Farrell Talk Affordable Health Care

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) was in Bridgeport on Wednesday to bolster the candidacy of Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D), who is trying for the second time to unseat Rep. Christopher Shays (R) in the Constitution State’s 4th district.

Kennedy attended a forum on the need for affordable health care with Farrell.
— N.D.

VERMONT
Sanders Touts Support From VFW in New Ad

The Senate campaign of Rep. Bernie Sanders (I) on Wednesday picked up the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars political action committee. Sanders also took the occasion to launch a statewide television advertising campaign touting the VFW nod in spots that included Korean and Vietnam war veterans.

The endorsement comes after a bit of controversy swirled this summer around a report called the “VFW Briefing” that criticized Sanders on his veterans affairs voting record in Congress. The VFW said at the time that the report didn’t come from its group and VFW officials defended Sanders in news reports. The VFW’s PAC did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment.

Tim Lennon, campaign manager for Sanders’ opponent, businessman Richard Tarrant (R), said in news reports this summer that the document actually was an internal Tarrant campaign memo. Lennon did not return two messages from Roll Call Wednesday.

Paul Hortenstine, Sanders’ campaign spokesman, said his boss has a “strong record for helping Vermont veterans.” He added that the VFW endorsement is “important because our veterans today face an unfortunate situation where President Bush

has repeatedly underfunded our veterans’ programs.”

The ad spot, which will air for at least two weeks on network and cable stations, begins with Sanders saying, “People put their lives on the line to defend our country. We should make sure they get all of the benefits they were promised.”

Hortenstine declined to reveal the cost of the ad buy.
— Kate Ackley

IDAHO
RNC Chairman Rallying Support for Sali’s Bid

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman is scheduled today to be in Boise to rally support for state Rep. Bill Sali, the GOP nominee, for what should be an easy Republican win in the 1st district.

Mehlman is set to be joined by Gov. Jim Risch (R) and Rep. Butch Otter (R), who is vacating the 1st district seat to run for governor. Sali should have no trouble dispatching of his Democratic opponent, attorney Larry Grant, but some polls have showed him with less support than other Republicans running in Idaho.

Some analysts have attributed this to the poor relations Sali has with many of the state’s GOP powerbrokers. While Mehlman’s appearance could signify the need to unify support behind Sali, most Republicans familiar with this race don’t believe ill feelings toward the state Representative puts him in any jeopardy.
— D.M.D.

NEW YORK
Kuhl, Massa Schedule At Least Four Debates

Rep. Randy Kuhl (R) is set to square off against retired Navy Commander Eric Massa (D) in the first of four debates today at the Steamboat Landing in Canandaigua. Set to start at noon, the debate is sponsored by the Canandaigua Rotary Club and Messenger Post.

The duo also will debate on Oct. 10 in Elmira, on Oct. 11 in Bath and on Oct. 13 in Hornell.

The battle for the 29th district is considered close, and a recent Democratic poll showed Kuhl leading by just 4 points.
— Elizabeth Brotherton

WISCONSIN
Hoyer, Kagen Preach Fiscal Responsibility

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) was in Green Bay on Tuesday to help Steve Kagen (D) in his effort to win the open 8th district seat there.

Hoyer attended a news conference with Kagen about fiscal responsibility and the national debt.

Kagen, an allergist, faces state Assembly Speaker John Gard (R) for the right to succeed Rep. Mark Green (R), who is running for governor.

Democratic polls have shown Kagen in the lead.
— N.D.

NEBRASKA
First Question in House Debate Is About Foley

Freshman Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R) and Democratic challenger Maxine Moul squared off Tuesday evening in the first of two debates in the battle for the Cornhusker State’s 1st district seat.

It didn’t take long for former Rep. Mark Foley’s (R-Fla.) name to come up, as it was the first question asked of the candidates, according to spokesmen for both campaigns.

Moul spokesman Joe Lestingi said Moul called both for the resignation of Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and for Fortenberry to give back money he received during a fundraiser headlined by Hastert in August.

“Hastert came out and campaigned for Fortenberry and knew about [Foley’s indiscretions] at that time,” Lestingi said. “We feel like he doesn’t share Nebraska’s values.”

Fortenberry spokeswoman Jacki Evans said the first-term Congressman was “grieved by [Foley’s] abhorrent behavior” and supports a thorough investigation of Foley’s actions.

A second debate will be held Oct. 17 at a Lincoln Independent Business Association luncheon in Lincoln.
— T.G.

NATION
Report: NRA Airing TV Ads in Four Senate Races

The National Rifle Association will begin airing TV ads in four competitive Senate races, according to an analysis of independent expenditures by PoliticalMoneyLine.com.

The ads are in support of three endangered GOP incumbents — Sens. Jim Talent (Mo.), Rick Santorum (Pa.) and Conrad Burns (Mont.) — as well as for Rep. Mark Kennedy, the Republican nominee in the open-seat race to replace Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.).

The NRA also will begin running ads in opposition to Talent’s challenger, Missouri state Auditor Claire McCaskill (D).
— Josh Kurtz

Anti-Free Trade Group Aids House Candidates

Citizens Trade PAC, a new political action committee of the Citizens Trade Campaign, has begun dispatching organizers this week to five competitive Congressional districts.

The organizers will be aiding businessman Joe Donnelly (D), who is challenging Rep. Chris Chocola (R-Ind.); Dover Law Attorney Zack Space (D), who is running for the open seat being vacated by Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio); college professor Chris Carney (D), who is challenging Rep. Don Sherwood (R-Pa.); former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler (D), who is taking on Rep. Charles Taylor (R-N.C.); and teacher Larry Kissell (D), the challenger to Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.).

The Citizens Trade Campaign is a coalition of labor unions, farmers and environmental groups opposed to most free trade agreements. In the districts where the group is supporting candidates who are challenging incumbents, the group plans to highlight the Members’ support for CAFTA.

A spokesman for the group said the PAC would likely dispatch organizers to two additional races in mid-October.
— J.K.