Sen. Patty Murray, a three-term Democrat from Washington state, is spending the final days before Tuesday's elections fighting for her job by campaigning against her opponent, Dino Rossi, in what looks to be one of the nation's closest Senate races.

The latest polls suggest that Murray will win by a slight margin. But Rossi, who did not announce he would challenge Murray until late May, could still take down the incumbent.

The candidates visited the mainly rural areas of eastern Washington over the weekend and will finish their tours Monday night in King County, where Seattle is, and where nearly one-third of the state's voters live.

Analysts say this race is crucial because a Republican win could earn the GOP a 50-50 Senate, where Vice President Biden would cast the deciding vote.

Murray has spent much more on the campaign than Rossi, having used $15 million through the end of September compared with her opponent's $2.5 million. Both candidates have attacked the other through ads, with Rossi depicting Murray as fiscally reckless, and Murray portraying Rossi as too conservative, especially on issues like abortion.

Reach associate news editor Taylor Freitas here. Follow her on Twitter: @taylorfreitas.

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