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With a high number of tightly contested congressional races, California is being seen as the Democrats' best shot at regaining the House majority they lost in 1994.

So it's no surprise that races like the one between Rep. James Rogan (R) and state Sen. Adam Schiff (D) in the 27th District are growing increasingly bitter as Election Day nears. Rogan barely survived two previous elections, and Democrats have gone after him this year with extra gusto due to his high-profile role during President Clinton's impeachment.
• With Stakes High, So Is Vitriol in Local Races (Los Angeles Times, 10/02/00)
• Road to House Majority May Run Through California (Sacramento Bee, 10/02/00)
• Rogan Battling to Survive (Sacramento Bee, 10/02/00)
• More Coverage: Calif. 27th District Race | Calif. Races

Minn. Senate: Candidates Spar on Issues; Dayton Sells Stock Holdings

Sen. Rod Grams (R-Minn.) met his challengers – Democrat Mark Dayton and Independence Party candidate James Gibson – Monday in a face-off that showed the candidates' deep ideological divisions on hot-button issues like gun control and Social Security reform.
• Dayton, Grams Exchange Fire on Senator's School Gun Vote (Star Tribune, 10/03/00)
• Sparring on Social Security (St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10/03/00)
• More Coverage: Minn. Senate Race

Dayton, a multi-millionaire, also on Monday revealed that he has divested all of his personal stock holdings in order to avoid any potential conflicts of interest between his business dealings and his campaign.
• Dayton Says He Has Sold All His Corporate Stock (Star Tribune, 10/03/00)
• Dayton Discloses Stock Sale (Duluth News Tribune, 10/03/00)

Ga. 8th District: A Reflection of the National Scene

Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) is locked in a reelection battle against Democrat Jim Marshall in a race that's giving Georgia voters a local reflection of the political arguments and issues being played out nationally.
• 8th District Race Mirrors Rest of U.S. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/03/00)

Va. Senate: Former President Refutes Robb's Claim

Former president George Bush insists a campaign ad in which Sen. Chuck Robb (D-Va.) claims to have supported Bush's legislative agenda a "majority" of the time is wrong and sent a letter to Robb's opponent, Republican George Allen, saying so.
• Bush's Father: Robb Ad Is Wrong (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 10/03/00)
• Special Report: Allen vs. Robb
• More Coverage: Va. Senate Race

Colorado: Football Team Gets in Political Game

The Denver Broncos football organization has donated $20,000 to a local activist group opposing a tax-cut ballot initiative that could hinder the Broncos' ability to get public funds for a new stadium.
• Broncos Stand Against Tax Cut (Denver Post, 10/03/00)

"There was a voice inside of me that told me this is something that I must do." – Stewart Skrill, a Vermont sheep farmer who decided to run for the state's lone Congressional seat after saying he received a "calling" from God.
• 'Calling' Sends Farmer to Challenge Sanders
(Rutland Herald, 10/01/00)

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