The race between state Rep. Kate Harper (R-Lower Gwynedd) and Democrat Frank Custer has grown significantly more contentious in recent weeks, with attacks flying and recriminations from both sides.

Custer is trying to unseat Harper in Montgomery County's 61st Legislative District. County Democrats are pegging it as one of the down-ballot seats they hope to pick up, but being a more traditional suburb that some others in the area, Republicans think it's one they can hold onto.

Custer has mounted a series of attacks on Harper during the campaign. What started as criticism of her municipal law work outside of Harrisburg has escalated into a larger attack on what he calls her ambition to hold other offices. Harper, for her part, has dismissed the attacks as everything from hypocritical to desperate, while criticizing him for not wanting to talk about issues.

Though the campaign was always contentious, the last few weeks have seen a new level of vitriol between the two candidates.

Custer, pointing to the fact that Harper has expressed interest in a county judicial appointment, called on her to pledge to serve a full term if reelected.

"I just think that people really should have some sense of confidence that the two people who are running to get their support actually want to go there and do the job," Custer told PolitickerPA.com recently. Harper, in an interview, said she didn't want to dignify the challenge with a response.

"He's throwing stuff against the wall and hoping something will stick," she said. "The real voters out there, they're not buying this."

Harper has indulged in her own criticism of Custer, questioning his record and his qualifications, though her attacks haven't seemed to quite match the wrath of her opponent's. In a mailing, Custer, using a tactic favored by Democratic candidates this election cycle, seeks to tie Harper to support for President Bush's economic policies.

"What else isn't she telling us?" the mailing asks.

The race could still prove to be one of Montgomery County's more competitive down-ballot contests. Custer had about $26,000 in cash on hand at the end of a reporting period that closed last week, according to campaign finance reports filed Friday. Harper's latest campaign finance report had not yet been published on the Department of State Web site Sunday, but she told PolitickerPA.com her campaign had a little more than $62,000 on hand.