Republican Tom Coburn (l) and Rep. Brad Carson. Photos © AP A DAY AT THE RACES South Dakota Heated Senate race targets Native voters. California Governor makes issue of tribal gaming. Again. Oklahoma Cherokee tribal member eyes open Senate seat. Alaska Two strong candidates bank on Native vote. Washington Washington tribes battle gaming measure. Nebraska Nebraska tribes could finally get Class III gaming. Montana Cyanide mining initiative irks tribes. Colorado Retiring Ben Nighthorse Campbell prompts battle.

One race that will help determine which party controls the Senate features Rep. Brad Carson, a member of the Cherokee Nation, against Republican Tom Coburn, a former congressman. The campaign has been particularly negative and nasty, with attack ads coming from both sides.

Carson is marketing conservative values to a conservative electorate but Coburn, a stalwart conservative, has enjoyed a strong surge in the support in the closing weeks after struggling amid numerous stumbles. At a town hall, he referred to Cherokees are "barely Indian" and derided the trust responsibility, remarks that angered Cherokee Nation officials.

Polls show the two neck-and-neck, with Coburn gaining the advantage. During his House races, Carson benefited from Native support in a district that is about 20 percent Native. But the impact of the Native vote statewide is less clear. If elected, he would be the only Native American in the Senate.

Related Stories:
Four Oklahoma tribes endorse Carson for Senate (10/27)
Two Oklahoma tribal leaders endorse Coburn (10/26)
Cherokee leaders blast Coburn for 'divisive' remarks (9/17)
Woman counters Coburn on forced sterilization (09/17)
Senate candidate Coburn denies malpractice (9/15)
Senate race pits tribal member against conservative (07/28)

Beyond the Senate vote, there are three state questions on the ballot impacting tribes. The biggest is State Question 712, which would legalize certain electronic gaming machines at tribal casinos and racetracks in exchange for a share of revenues and compliance with cigarette tax compacts. Large tribes, like the Chickasaw, Choctaw and Cherokee nations, support the initiative but small tribes say they will not benefit from handing more regulatory authority to the state.

State Question 705 and State Question 706 have seen the same big three tribes pour large dollar amounts into the campaign. The initiatives would set up a lottery, a move that some see as legalizing Class III games in the state.