Nov. 1, 2002 -- Long known for its power in setting the national political agenda, the state of New Hampshire has weighed into the 2002 Senate battle as well, lining up a race that's expected to remain a squeaker until Election Day.

The Senate race pits Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, a three-term New Hampshire governor and the first woman ever to be elected to the post, against Republican John Sununu, a three-term congressman who bested incumbent Sen. Bob Smith for the GOP nomination in a highly publicized primary.

With political control of the Senate hanging in the balance, the battle in New Hampshire has gone beyond state interest and evolved into a national skirmish between political parties -- as well a race to appeal to the 38 percent of the state's voters who have declared themselves independent.

Both candidates have launched aggressive media campaigns and have doled out massive sums of money in their bids. As of Oct. 16, Shaheen has spent some $3.7 million in her campaign while Sununu had spent almost $2.5 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The Washington Post reports that Sununu has also been aided by some $1 million in ad funding by Republican Party organizations as the party leaves no stone unturned in an effort to keep the New Hampshire seat on the GOP side of the aisle.

Polls have seesawed over the course of the contest and recent numbers are no exception. A poll conducted by the Becker Institute during the third week in October showed Shaheen with a 48 percent lead over Sununu's 42 percent, with another two percent going to Libertarian candidate Ken Blevins. The poll had a 4.9 percent margin of error.

An American Research Group poll conducted around the same time showed Sununu with a 48 percent lead to Shaheen's 46 percent and another 6 percent going to undecided or third party candidates with a four percent margin of error.

Sununu's highly publicized primary against Smith, an outspoken conservative with a loyal voter base, left Sununu in the difficult position of pledging his loyalty to the GOP faithful while also trying to appeal to the large bloc of moderate and independent voters in the state. It's a balancing act that's left him open to criticism from his Democratic opponent.

"For the last six months, John Sununu has said over and over again that he has never done anything in office that was not in the best interests of the Republican party," Shaheen told supporters in the wake of the September primary, according to the Concord Monitor. "Well let me tell you, John, this election isn't about what's good for the Republican Party or what's good for the Democratic Party -- it's about what's good for the people of New Hampshire," she said.

Both candidates have played along their party lines, with Sununu accusing Shaheen of being a "tax and spend" liberal and Shaheen pointing to Sununu as favoring big business interests over those of constituents.

Shaheen has also relentlessly maintained that she will be an "independent, non-partisan" voice in the Senate to represent all New Hampshire voters. Sununu has countered that he can stick by his pledge to the GOP agenda while still appealing to the center, saying at a recent debate, "I'm not unwilling to take a stand when I think it's in the interest of the people of New Hampshire and the United States," according to the Concord Monitor.

Sununu is also receiving last minute support from President Bush, who is including New Hampshire in his final sweep of states with pivotal races, campaigning on Friday for state Republicans, who face an uncertain road with Election Day just days away.