NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Former Democratic state Sen. Rosalind Kurita of Clarksville has written a $5,000 check to the Republican candidate seeking to win her old seat.

Kurita was ousted as the Democratic nominee in 2008 after the state Democratic Party's executive committee found her 19-vote primary win as "incurably uncertain." Kurita had been unpopular among Democrats after casting a key vote in favor of Republican Sen. Ron Ramsey's election as speaker the year before.

Kurita, who now works in Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's administration, mounted an unsuccessful write-in campaign and lost a federal lawsuit and appeal.

The current race pitches incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Barnes against Republican Mark Green in one of this state's hardest-fought races this year.

Green spent nearly $322,000 in the most recent reporting period, while Barnes spent nearly $146,000