COLUMBIA, S.C. - The candidates for South Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat are crisscrossing the state working to shore up key votes from blacks and women in a tight race that has some in political circles talking about a possible photo finish.

On Monday, Republican Jim DeMint, a three-term congressman, focused on important swing voters - women. He made a campaign stop to talk with small business owners about issues affecting them - from the federal tax code to Social Security to access health care.

"U.S. Rep. DeMint has a long, strong and unequivocal record of support on these issues," said Eleanor Kitzman, founder of a Columbia insurance company.

Meanwhile, Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, a second-term state education superintendent, talked on Sunday with black voters, who make up about 30 percent of the state's population and are traditionally a core voting block in the Democratic Party.

Terrasel Whack, 31, of Columbia, said Tenenbaum has inspired many educators, but she also has a plan for the economy, the war on terror and health care.

"She's definitely addressing the issues of concern" among blacks, said Whack, a mental health counselor.

Blacks voters have complained in recent years that politicians need to do a better job of listening to their issues. But many say they have a friend in Tenenbaum.

"She represents us well," said Marjorie Hammock, 68, a Benedict College professor. "We know we can count on her and we know she's accessible."

Throughout her career, Tenenbaum said she has worked on policies to improve early childhood education and juvenile justice, as well as contributed to civic organizations.

Black leaders say that has been key for Tenenbaum, who created relationships with black voters long before she ran for office.

"That's what makes her a good candidate," said state Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Hopkins, who is a minister. "I think so many people make the mistake ... that they become friendly when they campaign. But Inez's reputation preceded her campaign."

Tenenbaum said her established relations among black voters freed her up to campaign in other communities.

"It's not something that I have to every election go renew. I stay in touch with the community all the time," Tenenbaum said.

Despite Tenenbaum's outreach through her civic work and the state Education Department, some black voters still want to be courted in the campaign, said Jacob Butler, a political scientist at Morris College.

"Sometimes those things just don't get any substantial visibility and then it creates the perception the community is being ignored or being taken for granted," Butler said. "I do think that, to some measure, is what is facing Ms. Tenenbaum."

J.T. McLawhorn, executive director of the Columbia Urban League, said a lot of Tenenbaum's work with minorities has gone under the radar.

"She's not a stranger," he said. "But I do think it's important to continue to connect with those communities."

That's why Tenenbaum was out this past weekend reminding black voters to make their voices heard on Election Day. She visited Greater Bethel AME Church in Kingstree and was joined by Illinois Senate Candidate Barack Obama at Bibleway Family Life Center in Columbia.

Tenenbaum said she hopes a strong turnout among black voters will give her the extra boost she needs to defeat DeMint, who is considered the front-runner by a few percentage points in the latest polls.

"I just don't think he has any presence or much of a deep relationship in the African-American community," Tenenbaum said. "I've not seen evidence that he has statewide connections."

Both candidates have led grassroots efforts to appeal to women, who outnumber men among registered voters in South Carolina, and typically have a higher turnout at the polls.

DeMint, who has the advantage of being a Republican in a conservative-leaning state, said he was grateful for the endorsement of the National Association of Women Business Owners on Monday.

Kitzman, a member of the women's political action committee, said women cannot be expected to vote for DeMint's opponent just because of her gender.

"This is not a gender issue," Kitzman said. "The endorsement is based on his record."