The two leading candidates for Idaho’s open U.S. Senate seat are focusing on their differences on taxes and Social Security, and airing clashing claims in their campaign commercials. Republican Jim Risch has a new TV commercial out, airing throughout the state and in the Spokane market, that tries to paint Democratic rival Larry LaRocco as a tax-raiser. Three of the four claims in the ad, like an earlier Risch ad, are based on LaRocco’s vote in favor of a single bill when he served in Congress, the Deficit Reduction Act of 1993. “I think he just basically doesn’t have anything else,” said Jean McNeil, spokeswoman for LaRocco’s campaign. “That’s the only thing he’s got, and so he’s going with it over and over.” The ad features a blue water balloon swelling as each claim is recited, then exploding; you can watch it here. It follows two LaRocco ads hitting at Risch on Social Security and taxes. Click here for my full story at spokesmanreview.com examining the ad and its claims, and all five Senate candidates’ stands on taxes.

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