The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that John Kennedy, a Republican challenging Sen. Mary L. Landrieu in Louisiana, says his recent switch from the Democratic party is inconsequential to his campaign. Kennedy, the state treasurer, ran for the Senate as a Democrat in 2004. “Party has never been the most important thing in my life,” said Kennedy, who switched to the GOP last year. Democrats, meanwhile, label Kennedy “a political opportunist.” Kennedy said his endorsement of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. for president in 2004 was a mistake. He is touting his fiscally conservative approach, even when a Democrat. The state primary is Sept. 6.

The Portland Press Herald reports that Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, appears to have a solid lead over her Democratic rival, Rep. Tom Allen, in a June poll. The survey showed some 56 percent of those who said they plan to vote this fall prefer Collins, compared to 31 percent for Allen. But Allen’s campaign noted that other polls show a closer race and attributed any Collins advantage to greater name recognition. A Rasmussen Reports poll, also conducted in June, showed Collins leading Allen by 49 percent to 42 percent.