CHEYENNE - The last time a Democrat represented Wyoming in the U.S. Senate, Apple Computer was just being incorporated and the state of Utah executed Gary Gilmore by firing squad.

That was 1977.

Wyoming Democrats know they face a difficult task if they hope to turn the traditionally Republican state in their favor.

But optimism reigns, and no matter how long the odds, the Democratic candidates insist they can win in the two U.S. Senate races where Republicans have the advantage of incumbency and tradition.

"I might have to dig around in my backyard for a while and see if I can come up with $2 million," joked Chris Rothfuss.

Rothfuss is challenging Sen. Mike Enzi, R--Wyo., whom he believes has at least a $2 million re--election fund.

Enzi, a former Gillette mayor and state legislator, has been in the Senate since 1997. The last Democrat to hold that Senate seat was John J. Hickey in 1962.

Rothfuss, a University of Wyoming chemistry professor, said Friday that he will be roaming around the state in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 4 general election.

"I have very little money," he said, estimating that he may have $20,000--$25,000 in donations at this point.

"The uphill battle is made worse by financing," Rothfuss said. "I won't be able to do any heavy advertising."

He takes no political action committee money, he said.

"I'd rather be able to work around" the lack of PAC money, he said, because he sees the enormous sums spent on elections as a corrupting influence.

Since he is considered a very long shot to unseat Enzi, money from national Democratic organizations is not coming to him.

But the individual contributions are not small to the people who have given to him, he said. "They want change."

So Rothfuss said he will be knocking on doors and attending as many forums as possible.

He hopes, he said, that he will be able to debate Enzi in as many forums as possible.

Calls to the Republican candidates, their surrogates and Wyoming Republican Party officials were not returned.

Democratic candidate Nick Carter, an attorney from Gillette who is challenging Sen. John Barrasso, R--Wyo., is thought to have a better chance. So his contributions are substantially higher.

"I think we are doing really well," Carter said. "We are closing the gap."

The last Democrat to hold that seat was Gale W. McGee in 1977.

Earlier this week, Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, said he would endorse no one in the race because he had appointed Barrasso, a Republican.

The winner between Barrasso and Carter will serve the remaining four years of Sen. Craig Thomas' term. Thomas, a Republican, died in June 2007, and under the system for replacing a U.S. senator, Freudenthal had to pick from candidates submitted by the Republican Party.

Barrasso has more money than Carter but with a short time in office is considered more vulnerable than Enzi.

The Carter campaign expects to do substantial media advertising in the closing weeks of the campaign, he said.

Still Wyoming requires face--to--face campaigning, Carter said.

"We are still going door to door," Carter said, and he hopes to appear at eight or nine political forums in the upcoming weeks.

And he is optimistic that the tide will turn in his favor.

"Wyoming people are ready for something that's new," he said.

Rothfuss points to the popularity of Freudenthal and his re--election as governor as proof that Democrats can make inroads in Wyoming.

"(Voters) have to be convinced," Rothfuss said.