Under the agreement the state must drop its lawsuit before it can collect any of its $6.7 billion settlement.

In a complaint, the GOP charges Carnahan's Senate campaign with accepting donations from Lazaroff, who has pleaded guilty to three felony charges of fraud and campaign finance violations.

Carnahan's campaign says the donations have been returned.

For that reason, $14 million is being redirected from highway repair to highway safety programs.

Because state agencies purchase vehicles and tires individually, no central office montiors the tires on state vehicles.

Although she lost the primary in early August, Rep. Gracia Backer is continuing her campaign against victorious fellow Democrat Sen. Joe Maxwell.

Backer charges involve Maxwell's recommendations to potential contributers that contributions that would exceed contribution limits be directed to other campaign committees.

The campaign managers for the two leading candidates both are in their 20s -- but bring experience in differing ways to their respective campaigns.

At issue is the state's ability to drop its case against the tobacco companies. All states entering into the national settlement must drop their lawsuits before they can receive any of the money.

Several parties, including a health care provider and St. Louis City, are appealing a lower court's decision allowing the state to drop its case. The parties want their interests addressed before the state does so.

Gov. Mel Carnahan, a Southern Baptist deacon, seeks to unseat Republican Sen. John Ashcroft, a member of the Assemblies of God church and a former touring gospel singer.

Religion overtly popped up in the campaign only recently and both candidates have avoided talking directly about the topic. Under the surface, however, religion has been rising in importance for years.