Republican senatorial candidate Joni Ernst speaks to the media after a debate. Polls show Democrat Bruce Braley running as many as 14 points ahead of Ernst among women. Justin Hayworth/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Justin Hayworth/AP

Among outside groups — that is, not candidates or party committees — more than half of this cycle's political ads are financed by secret donors. iStockphoto hide caption

itoggle caption iStockphoto

People hold signs, including some reading "America is ready for marriage," at a same-sex marriage victory celebration on Oct. 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah. America may be ready, but Republicans aren't: Rising popular support for same-sex marriage is posing a problem for the GOP. George Frey/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption George Frey/Getty Images

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell was supposed to be cruising to re-election, but he's now in a serious contest against a non-partisan ticket. Mark Thiessen/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Mark Thiessen/AP

This fan at the base of the lectern for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist Wednesday delayed the gubernatorial debate between Crist and Governor Rick Scott. The Scott campaign believed the fan violated the debate rules. CBS 4 Pool/AP hide caption

itoggle caption CBS 4 Pool/AP

Navajo presidential candidate Chris Deschene greets supporters ahead of a hearing in Window Rock, Ariz., to determine whether Deschene is fluent enough in Navajo to qualify for the presidency. Felicia Fonseca/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Felicia Fonseca/AP

Democratic candidate Rick Weiland, a businessman, plays at a union hall in Sioux Falls, S.D. "We've tried to make this campaign fun," he told the crowd. "We're enjoying it. I hope you are." Don Gonyea/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Don Gonyea/NPR