Here's a rundown of the latest developments on the down-ticket races: The Dem party committees are going on offense, hitting the air with a new round of attack ads against the Republican candidates.

Dem Ad Against Coleman: Parents Blame Him For Son's Death In Iraq
The DSCC has this very emotional and hard-hitting new ad up against Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), featurng Nancy and Claremont Anderson, the parents of a Minnesota soldier who was killed in Iraq:

"I don't blame the Army for our son's death," Nancy says. "I just blame the bad policies on President Bush, Norm Coleman, who voted for this."

Dem Ad: Republican House Candidate Is Wacky Cartoon Character
Check out this goofy attack ad from the DCCC in one fo the open GOP-held House seats in New Jersey. The ad depicts GOP nominee Leonard Lane, a state Senator, as a dancing cartoon character:

"Watch Leonard Lance do the old Trenton dance," the announcer says mockingly.

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Yet another Republican incumbent is set to retire from the House — and his seat could potentially be a top target for the Democrats. Four-term Congressman Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) has announced his retirement, releasing a statement saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Ferguson's district went for President Bush by a 53%-46% margin in 2004, meaning that Republicans do have a shot to retain it. On the other hand, the Republicans have gone way downhill since then, and 2006 Dem nominee Linda Stender lost by only one point in 2006 — and she is already running again.

PolitickerNJ reports that Republicans might already have a strong candidate in the wings: Tom Kean Jr., who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2006 and has since become the state Senate Minority Leader. Back in 2000, Kean lost to Ferguson in the primary for this very seat.

Late Update: Kean has announced that he is not running. Republicans are now focusing on Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnick, while Democrats are closing ranks about Stender.