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Republican Rep. Bill McCollum is still trailing Bill Nelson (D) in the race to replace retiring Sen. Connie Mack (R), and, with just seven weeks to go before Election Day, some Florida GOP members are getting nervous.

Nelson is maintaining a wide lead over McCollum in support among women and also holds an advantage in voter-rich South Florida. Friday, former president George Bush will be in Miami at a fund-raiser and rally to try to boost support to McCollum, who appears to be disconnecting with voters in his attempt to portray himself as a moderate Republican. "McCollum does have to define himself more clearly," the candidate's spokeswoman said.
• Ex-President Will Try to Boost McCollum (Orlando Sentinel, 09/20/00)
• Shaky Status in Senate Race Worries GOP (Miami Herald, 09/19/00)
• More Coverage: Fla. Senate Race

N.Y. Senate: Poll Gives Clinton Wide Lead

The latest New York Times/CBS News poll shows that the new aggressive style by Rep. Rick Lazio (R) may be hurting him. According to the poll, Hillary Rodham Clinton has opened a 9-point lead over her rival and is solidifying support among the key suburban female voting bloc.
• Clinton Gains a Solid Edge (The New York Times, 09/21/00)
• Are Lazio, Clinton on Road to Making Pact a Reality? (New York Newsday, 09/21/00)
• Lazio Presses Money Pledge (Albany Times Union, 09/21/00)
• Lazio Issues New Challenge on Soft Money (The New York Times, 09/21/00)
• More Coverage: N.Y. Senate Race

Pa. Senate: Klink Running Out of Time

Democrats are holding out hope that Rep. Ron Klink (D) can pull out a victory over incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum (R) in Pennsylvania's Senate race. Yet, Klink does not have enough cash on hand to counter Santorum's television ads, while polls show Santorum leading by double digits.
• Klink Must Make Move, Analysts Say (Philadelphia Inquirer, 09/17/00)
• Santorum Seeks Still More Money (Philadelphia Inquirer, 09/17/00)
• More Coverage: Pa. Senate Race

Pa. 4th District: Hart Says Soft-Money Ads 'Unfair'

Congressional candidates Melissa Hart (R) and Terry Van Horne (D) continue to debate the use of soft-money ads in their race to replace Rep. Klink, with Hart claiming spots running in the 4th District misrepresent her issue positions.
• Hart, Van Horne Debate 'Soft Money' (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 09/20/00)
• More Coverage: Pa. 4th District Race

Ga. Senate: Candidates Set Debates, Argue Over Ads

Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.) and challenger Mack Mattingly (R) have agreed to two debates and a joint television interview before Election Day, but charges by Miller that Mattingly is negatively attacking him overshadowed their debate announcement.
• Mattingly, Miller Set Debates, Spar Over Ads (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 09/20/00)
• Miller Accuses Opponent of Negative Campaigning (Macon Telegraph, 09/20/00)
• Miller, Mattingly Campaigns Agree to Debates (Associated Press, 09/20/00)
• More Coverage: Ga. Senate Race

Vt. Governor: Dean Contends With Civil Unions Fallout

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) is finding himself in an unexpectedly trying reelection bid as a result of his support of the state's controversial civil unions bill. Dean kicked off his reelection race last week amid tumbling approval ratings and campaign-stop protesters.
• Dean Tours State in Start of Campaign (Rutland Herald, 09/15/00)
• Religious Groups Marshal Forces (Burlington Free Press, 09/15/00)
• Vt. Gov. Deals With Civil Unions (Associated Press, 09/15/00)
• More Coverage: Vt. Governor's Race

Ore. 5th District: Candidate Nailed for Giveaway

After a local citizen filed a complaint, GOP House hopeful Brian Boquist finds himself in a scrape with Oregon election officials for handing out free emery boards at local events last month — a possible violation of state law.
• Contender Investigated for Giving Out Emery Boards (Associated Press, 09/21/00)
• More Coverage: Ore. 5th District Race

"I will switch over my dead body. I'm a Democrat and I'll stay a Democrat." – Todd Patterson, a Florida state House candidate who has switched his party registration three times since 1989.
• Twice in GOP, Patterson's Now a Democrat Lifer
(Tallahassee Democrat, 09/20/00)

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