Recent ad attacks by outside groups supporting Democrat Evan Bayh's Senate bid target the financial offenses of Republican opponent Rep. Todd Young.
Young had several money issues during his time in the House, including taking improper tax deductions on his rental home in Bloomington, Indiana, and owing delinquent property taxes, The Associated Press reported.
The ads come as Bayh has taken a number of hits in the race, one of which could determine which party controls the Senate, most recently over his post-Senate work with a Washington law and lobbying firm, the Indianapolis Star reported.
He's also been criticized over losing touch with Indiana residents. The ads targeted his old Senate votes that aligned with the financial world he was seeking employment from before his term even ended.
The pro-Bayh ads criticized the congressman's use of more than $500,000 on taxpayer-financed mailers, more than any other Indiana congressional delegate since 2010.
Other "missteps" cited include a $30,000 fine by the FEC for accepting nearly $100,000 in excessive contributions during Young's first campaign, and a $5,000 civil penalty for failing to report large contributions within the 48-hour time period.
The new attack ads on behalf of Bayh, the former senator seeking his old seat, are not the first of this election season. In September, the Senate Majority PAC dropped $700,000 on an ad criticizing Young's views on Social Security.
Overall, nearly $30 million has been spent by the two candidates and outside groups supporting them.
The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call changed the rating in September from Tilts Democrat to Tossup.
