Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2012 --- 10:05a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The "Tammy vs. Tommy" contest for Wisconsin's open U.S. Senate seat has been a political slugfest living up to its boxing-styled nickname.

Tommy Thompson, the former four-term governor on the ballot for the first time since 1998, was almost knocked out in the qualifying round against three more conservative and younger candidates.

He survived, only to find himself up against the ropes in the weeks after the primary with no money and outspent by Democratic challenger Tammy Baldwin and her supporters 3-to-1 on television.

The early advantage allowed Baldwin to pull even in the polls after being down all year. The race is a dead heat as the Nov. 6 election nears.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.