WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- GOP Sens. Norm Coleman and Elizabeth Dole are battling down to the wire in their bids to head the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Going into Wednesday's caucus vote, both the Minnesota Republican and his North Carolina challenger claim to have the support of enough members of their party to head the political organizational arm of the Senate GOP.
Dole has gained a possible edge through the endorsement of outgoing Chairman Sen. George Allen of Virginia, who is very popular following he four seat gains made by Republicans in the Senate in the Nov. 2 election.
He cited her fundraising abilities and southern heritage as key assets Tuesday.
The top three Republicans in the Senate -- Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Majority Whip Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania have remained silent on whom they support.
The Republicans Senate caucus, whose leadership will be otherwise unchanged, going into the 109th Congress, will decide the issue Wednesday.
