Senate battle hinges on small number of undecideds

HELENA — There are few undecided voters remaining in the big Senate battle between U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Denny Rehberg — but the campaigns are spending plenty to try and reach them.

In this June 16, 2011, photo Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., answers a question from an unidentified audience member after the first debate of the 2012 election against Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., in Big Sky.

Dale Specht of Great Falls is one of them.

The retired school janitor goes to the same barber as U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and likes that he hasn't lost his roots. But Specht also appreciates the assistance U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg once offered him on a veteran's issue.

Montana State University Political Scientist David Parker says undecided voters like Specht are rare and can expect a lot more attention from the campaigns in the coming weeks.

Both sides are ramping up efforts to reach those voters by phone and door-to-door and determine which issues will sway them.

This story will be updated later Sunday.