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Democratic heavyweights are stepping up their efforts to stave off the increasing likelihood of Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) running away with his reelection race.

Once considered a top target for defeat, Santorum continues to maintain a wide lead in polls, funding and name recognition over his Democratic challenger Ron Klink. Party supporters like Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and even President Clinton are coming to bat for Klink, who has yet to air a campaign ad in Philadelpia, the state's largest city.
• Klink Who? Santorum Thrives With Recognition (Philadelphia Daily News, 10/03/00)
• Supporters of Klink Rally at Luncheon (Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/03/00)
• More Coverage: Pa. Senate Race

N.J.: Top Candidate for 2001 Gubernatorial Run Drops Out

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Jack Collins (R) stunned state Republicans Monday with a short statement announcing he would not seek the governor's office in next year's election. Collins, who gave no reason for his decision, was widely expected to take over the Republican mantle from term-limited Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.
• Collins Abruptly Halts Campaign for Governor (Newark Star-Ledger, 10/03/00)
• New Jersey Speaker Quits Governor's Race (The New York Times, 10/03/00)
• Collins Won't Run for Governor (Trenton Times, 10/03/00)
• Collins' Withdrawal Stuns Republicans (Bergen Record, 10/03/00)
• Profile: New Jersey

Mo. Senate: Camps Disagree Over Debate Plans

The presidential candidates have not been the only office-seekers locked in a debate over debates this election year. Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan (D) announced he and Sen. John Ashcroft (R) had agreed to a schedule after weekend negotiations, but Ashcroft's spokesman shot back that Carnahan's claim was "an outrageous lie."
• Carnahan Announces Senatorial Debates; Ashcroft Camp Denies Agreement
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/01/00)
• Senate Contenders Disagree on Debates (Kansas City Star, 09/30/00)
• More Coverage: Mo. Senate Race

Trying to quell the state's hottest political controversy, Missouri GOP spokesman Daryl Duwe resigned Monday over a recent Internet comment in which he likened the state auditor to "a cheap hooker."
• GOP Spokesman Resigns Job Over Comment About Auditor McCaskill (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/03/00)
• Missouri GOP Spokesman Resigns After Making `Hooker' Remark (Kansas City Star, 10/02/00)

Fla. Senate: Candidates Target Each Other's Base

Though traditional Democratic constituencies are lining up against Republican Bill McCollum in Florida's open-seat Senate race, both McCollum and Democrat Bill Nelson are busy not only trying to strengthen their own voter bases but also weakening each other's.
• Nelson, McCollum Target Each Other's Core Support (Orlando Sentinel, 10/02/00)
• Group: McCollum Anti-Environment (St. Petersburg Times, 09/29/00)
• More Coverage: Fla. Senate Race

Ky. 3rd District: Women Voters Expected to Turn Tight Race

Kentucky's first all-woman congressional match-up is a toss-up, according to recent poll numbers that show two-term Republican Rep. Anne Northup and Democratic state Rep. Eleanor Jordan is a statistical tie.
• Poll: Northup-Jordan Race Too Close to Call (Louisville Courier-Journal, 09/27/00)
• More Coverage: Ky. 3rd District Race

Jason Thompson can be reached at jason.thompson@washingtonpost.com. Early Returns runs Monday-Thursday.