The Portland Oregonian reports that Republican Sen. Gordon H. Smith “on Tuesday swiftly promised to give to charity $10,000 that he had received for his current re-election campaign from newly indicted Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.” The newspaper says Smith joined at least two other GOP colleagues up for re-election — Sens. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and John E. Sununu of New Hampshire — in vowing to give away contribitions from Stevens’ political action committee this election cycle. But Smith’s Democratic opponent, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkey, said Smith should donate to charity all of the money — a total of $39,000 — his campaigns have received from Stevens since Smith first ran for the Senate in 1995.

The Detroit News reports that Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., holds a slim lead in a tight three-way primary race, one week before voters head to the polls on Aug. 5. A new poll by EPIC-MRA shows that 33 percent of likely voters say they will vote for Kilpatrick, putting her four points ahead of former state Rep. Mary Walters. That’s within the survey’s margin of error. State Sen. Martha Scott is at 24 precent. Kilpatrick is in her sixth term, but has been unable to solidify her re-election support. “One likely factor keeping the race close: the scandal involving her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is under indictment on perjury and other felony charges,” the newspaper said. “About two-thirds of 13th District voters have an unfavorable view of the mayor.” The winner of the primary will be a heavy favorite in November.