Democrats believe they can secure their first all-Democratic Senate delegation from Alaska in more than 40 years, with their once-overlooked nominee making a late charge and claiming the momentum is in his favor in a heated three-way contest.

One major showing of faith: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has poured more than $160,000 into the race, most of that late as candidate Scott McAdams has worked to convince independents and on-the-fence Democrats that he can beat U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and GOP primary winner and tea party favorite Joe Miller. Murkowski is running as a write-in candidate.

"We believe that Scott McAdams actually has a real chance of winning this race. Mr. Miller has obviously plummeted because it's about ideology versus about Alaska," Sen. Robert Menendez, of New Jersey, said Sunday on ABC.

Former President Bill Clinton also recorded a robocall for McAdams, which went out Sunday.

Part of what's turned more Democrats into believers is the dynamics of the hotly contested race that analysts and staffers for the campaigns see as capable of going to any of the three major contenders. Part, too, lies with McAdams proving he's more than the token candidate that even some of the party faithful took him for when he won the nomination in August.

His campaign says it has all the resources it needs to win. But can he peak in time to pull off a victory Tuesday?

Republicans _ Murkowski included _ say no.

"The idea the Democratic senatorial candidate would have a real chance at winning is laughable," said state GOP spokesman Casey Reynolds. He points to early voting and absentee numbers that show Republicans "absolutely blowing the Democrats away." The GOP is backing Joe Miller, whose defeat of Murkowski in the primary prompted her write-in run.

Murkowski likewise dismissed McAdams' talk of momentum, calling it too little, too late.

McAdams believes he holds an advantage over Murkowski in that his name will be on the ballot and not subject to the potential challenges that write-in votes may be.

"I think Monday will be a big tipping point," state Democratic party chair Patti Higgins said.

McAdams became the candidate after the Democrats failed to put up a nominee to run against Murkowski at their state convention in May. McAdams, who was leading the convention in his hometown of Sitka, where he was mayor, impressed so many there that they encourage him to run. He filed his papers on June 1, the last day of qualifying.

His shoestring campaign raised less than $17,000 and barely drew interest during the primary, which was overshadowed by the fight between Miller and Murkowski.

The two Republicans have exchanged in a tit-for-tat during much of the race. McAdams has tried to keep out of the fray and quietly go about building a grassroots network, taking his message directly to the people and running at-times cheeky ads to help introduce him to a statewide audience and show how he's different than his opponents.

McAdams has filled town halls and raised more than $1 million, all while touting support for Democratic positions that some candidates this cycle have run from, including the federal stimulus plan and efforts to overhaul health care, abortion rights, and equal rights for gays and lesbians. Continued...