Here's a rundown of the latest developments on the down-ticket races: The Dem party committees are going on offense, hitting the air with a new round of attack ads against the Republican candidates.

Dem Ad Against Coleman: Parents Blame Him For Son's Death In Iraq
The DSCC has this very emotional and hard-hitting new ad up against Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), featurng Nancy and Claremont Anderson, the parents of a Minnesota soldier who was killed in Iraq:

"I don't blame the Army for our son's death," Nancy says. "I just blame the bad policies on President Bush, Norm Coleman, who voted for this."

Dem Ad: Republican House Candidate Is Wacky Cartoon Character
Check out this goofy attack ad from the DCCC in one fo the open GOP-held House seats in New Jersey. The ad depicts GOP nominee Leonard Lane, a state Senator, as a dancing cartoon character:

"Watch Leonard Lance do the old Trenton dance," the announcer says mockingly.

Dem Ad: GOP House Candidate Doesn't Pay Taxes, Dumps On Middle Class
Here's the DCCC's new ad against Marty Ozinga, a businessman and Republican nominee for an open GOP-held seat in Illinois -- who has apparently had some trouble paying his business taxes properly:

"Marty Ozinga, $59 grand in unpaid taxes, supporting Bush tax cuts for millionaires like him," the announer says. "Marty Ozinga, dumping on the middle class."

Musgrove Tells Life Story In New Ad
Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D-MS), running for the U.S. Senate against appointed GOP Sen. Roger Wicker, has this new ad talkinga bout his humble beginnings, and how he'll work to help people who have struggled like he did:

"The salvation of my family was education and prayer," Musgrove says.

Dem Nominee In Alaska Senate Race Faces Ethics Fine
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D), who is running against Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) as the candidate of clean government, has been recommended a fine of $1,420 by the Alaska Public Offices Commission for failing to disclose dividends he or his wife received from publicly traded companies and not listing his ownership in another. While the disclosure oversight is nothing compared to Stevens' ethics cloud, it could end up muddying the situation for Begich politicaly.

Dem Chances Improve For Taking Down Elizabeth Dole
CQ has changed its rating on the North Carolina Senate race from "Republican Favored" to "No Clear Favorite," an upgrade of two full rankings for the Dems. CQ cites decent polling numbers for Democrat Kay Hagan, and the fact that Dole's strength has long come from her résumé -- which could be a liability in a year when both of the presidential nominees are running on platforms of change.

GOP Senator's Company Fined On Environmental Violation
In a blow to his campaign's efforts to pitch him as a friend of the environment, a frozen foods plant owned by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) has been fined $3,900 for spilling wastewater into a local creek. The violation, which was larger than a similar spill last year, was rated moderate by the Department of Environmental Quality.