Newly filed campaign finance reports show that Republican senators moved quickly last month to boost the 2010 Senate campaign of Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-Del.), one of the party's strongest candidates to capture a Democratic-held seat.

Eager to increase their ranks beyond 40 seats, several GOP senators donated to Castle through their leadership political action committees, according to reports the organizations filed before a deadline today.

Among those senators who reported giving to Castle in October were Thad Cochran (Miss.), whose Senate Victory Fund PAC gave $10,000; Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), whose OrrinPAC donated $5,000; Pat Roberts (Kan.), whose Preserving America's Traditions PAC gave $5,000; and Mike Johanns (Neb.), whose Prairieland PAC donated $2,000.

One of the two Republicans challenging freshman Idaho Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick is ending his 2010 campaign in the state's 1st District.

State Rep. Ken Roberts said in a statement Tuesday that he was withdrawing "with great reluctance" because of an unspecified and "unexpected health issue that has affected my candidacy and hampered my ability to make this run."

"I feel that it is my responsibility to my family to step out of the race at this time and concentrate on my health," Roberts said.

Democrat Elizabeth Roberts, the lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, has decided to forgo the 2010 bid for governor that she had been mulling. Roberts will instead seek re-election to her current post.

"I want to thank all of my supporters and let them know that I will continue to work to turn the pages of politics as usual in Rhode Island," said Roberts in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. "I will continue to fight for quality health care for all; a stronger, more diverse Rhode Island economy; and honest, open and effective government."

Roberts, by choosing to pass up the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, thins a primary field that looked crowded with prominent Democratic officeholders. Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch and state Treasurer Frank Caprio are both expected to launch campaigns for the open seat.