The Massachusetts Senate candidates met for the third and final time on Tuesday night in an hour-long debate characterized by heated exchanges that were unlikely to change the minds of voters a week out from Election Day.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D) has hired another Obama campaign veteran, Addisu Demissie, to manage his campaign for Senate in New Jersey.
Read more...

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has cut a $100,000 check to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, money that will likely be used to try to keep his seat Democratic as he retires.

The donation comes as former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) eyes a possible bid for Baucus's seat. 

Schweitzer and Baucus have at times had a tense relationship, according to some Montana Democrats.

Baucus declined Tuesday to say whom he planned to back in the race.

"There are a lot of good people. That's really up to the people of Montana to decide as to who they want to next have this seat," he said when The Hill asked early Tuesday afternoon if he'd help Schweitzer in a possible run.

When asked if there had been any past tensions between them, Baucus responded, "Brian Schweitzer's a good man." 

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has an unexpected new challenger: Longtime Minnesota state Rep. Jim Abeler (R).

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) wants Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2016 and plans to "support her in any way" possible.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D) will roll out a number of high-profile endorsements in the coming days, early evidence of his strong support in the race for New Jersey Senate.

North Carolina Republicans are eager for Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) to challenge Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) in next year's election, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

Foxx more than doubles the support of any other potential GOP candidate polled by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling (PPP). The five-term congresswoman is the choice of 23 percent of GOP voters, good for a 12-point advantage over Phil Berger, a member of the state General Assembly and a 14-point advantage over Thom Tillis, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and the only officially declared candidate.

No other Republican polled earned double-digit support.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell (R) on Tuesday announced he'll seek the Republican nomination for Senate — setting up a primary fight against failed 2010 GOP nominee Joe Miller. 

Treadwell has been moving toward a run since November, when he formed an exploratory committee for the seat, and is the GOP establishment's favored candidate to compete against Sen. Mark Begich (D), who is considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents this election cycle.

"I've met with community and business leaders, elected officials, and my party’s grassroots volunteers from all across Alaska. In Washington, D.C., I've met with members of the U.S. Senate and respected national organizations and groups that share my core conservative values. I've talked and prayed with my family. Their responses have been positive and encouraging," Treadwell said in a statement sent to supporters.

"Alaskans are very concerned about what is, or is not, happening in Washington, D.C. So am I. This intense exploratory effort has convinced me that I have the support necessary to build a winning campaign."

House and Senate Democrats are going on the offensive on student loans, accusing House Republicans of refusing to keep interest rates on student loans low. Read more...