Former Rep. Christopher Shays has not endorsed a candidate in the crowded Republican primary for the Connecticut seat he lost to Democrat Jim Himes in 2008. But Shays' wife has a dog in the 4th District fight.

Elizabeth Shays donated $500 to former state Sen. Rob Russo on Sept. 30, the last day of the third-quarter reporting period, according to federal campaign finance information.

While the former congressman, a GOP moderate who served from 1987 until this January, isn't taking sides yet himself, there is a clear connection to Russo. A former aide to Shays, Russo also currently is his lawyer.

A fourth Republican is preparing to take on freshman Democrat Jim Himes in Connecticut's 4th District race, now that the biggest GOP recruit, state Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, has bowed out.

Finance industry veteran Rob Merkle released a statement Monday announcing that he had formed a campaign committee to run for the seat. "While I have never been a 'professional politician,' I cannot sit on the sidelines and watch while this administration and its supporters continue to undermine the fundamental principles upon which this country was founded - liberty, opportunity, and free markets," Merkle said in the statement.

Merkle is president of Management Recruiters of Westport LLC, a recruitment firm for the financial industry and has never held political office. He joins state Sen. Dan Debicella, attorney and former state Sen. Robert Russo, and nonprofit executive Will Gregory among the candidates exploring or running for the seat.

The Republican Party's best chance to pick up a House seat in Connecticut lies in the 4th District represented by a freshman Democrat Jim Himes, but state Sen. John McKinney's decision to pass on a challenge to Himes now leaves the prospects for the GOP in the hands of three young congressional hopefuls, none north of his mid-30s.

The two most serious contenders at this point are state Sen. Dan Debicella of Shelton, Conn., who graduated from college in 1996, and attorney and former state Sen. Robert Russo, who earned his bachelors' degree in '97. Both are in exploratory mode, having backed McKinney until his surprise announcement last week that we would not seek the seat.

McKinney, a top GOP recruit, told local press that he didn't want to give up time with his family to run for Congress.

Republicans' hopes of ousting freshman Democrat Jim Himes in Connecticut's 4th District suffered a serious blow, as heavily recruited GOP state legislator John McKinney has taken himself out of the running.

McKinney, the state Senate minority leader and son of a former 4th District representative, told the Greenwich Time for a story published Wednesday that his decision was based on family considerations.

"It is definitely my intention to run for re-election to the state Senate," McKinney said. "The course I'm choosing right now gives me the opportunity to do something I love, which is to help others; be a public servant; help the people of the state of Connecticut; and at the same time it allows me to stay at home and be the father I want to be for my kids."

The 42 House Democrats to whom party leaders are steering extra financial and political assistance banked an average of nearly half a million dollars 16 months before the 2010 midterm elections.

These lawmakers -- primarily junior members from politically competitive districts -- are known as "Frontline Democrats". They ramped up their fundraising operations in this year's second quarter to prepare for vigorous Republican opposition in the 2010 midterm elections.

According to updated campaign finance reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the 42 Frontline Democrats had an average of $481,000 in campaign cash-on-hand as July began. Please consult this chart for a detailed analysis that is based on FEC data.

While members of Congress are home for recess, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is using a $2.5 million ad campaign to boost the health care records of several potentially vulnerable House Democrats.

Television commercials began running June 27 in six members' home districts and will air for two weeks. Accompanying mailers were also sent to voters.

"On health care there are two sides of the coin. On one side, do nothing. On the other, move forward- like Congressman Jim Himes, who's making real progress on reform," said the voiceover in one targeted television ad. The commercial continues by crediting Himes for expanding coverage for children, veterans, and protecting Medicare.