IN-SEN

Dem Ellsworth Has Cash Advantage In Indiana Senate Race

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 15, 2010, 12:34PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

At the end of the second quarter, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D) holds a small cash-on-hand advantage over former Sen. Dan Coats (R) in the race to succeed the retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (D) in Indiana. Ellsworth had $1.2 million in the bank as of June 30, while the Coats campaign will report just over $1 million when its report becomes available.

Coats had the fundraising advantage in the second quarter, though his efforts to raise money in the quarter were likely buoyed by the competitive primary he faced on May 4. According to reports, Coats raised $2.1 million and spent just over $1 million between April 1 and June 30. Ellsworth raised "nearly" $1.7 million, according to reports.

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IN-SEN

Dem Ellsworth Takes Indirect Jab At GOP Opponent's Lobbying Past In New IN-SEN Ad (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 3:34PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat of retiring Dem Evan Bayh, has launched his first TV ad of the campaign. Ellsworth cast himself as an anti-Washington candidate taking on Washington lobbyists -- a not-so-subtle attack against his Republican opponent, former Sen. Dan Coats, who had been a lobbyist for the past decade.

"One thing that 25 years as a sheriff teaches you is zero tolerance for bull. There's too much at stake. But out in Washington it's like they live and breathe the stuff," Ellsworth says. "They waste our money. They take care of special interests. And they don't care if lobbyists write the laws or if our jobs get shipped overseas. I'm Brad Ellsworth and I approve this message because the special interests and lobbyists already have enough senators on their side."

Ellsworth never directly mentions Coats in the ad, but appears to be laying the groundwork for further attacks down the road. Ellsworth begins this general election as a severe underdog, with the TPM Poll Average giving Coats a lead of 49.4%-33.6%.

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