WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – National Republicans haven’t given up on former Rep. Mark Foley’s district, recently spending $244,300 for television ads attacking Democratic hopeful Tim Mahoney.

The Democratic newcomer has become a strong contender, partly because Foley’s name will remain on the ballot even though his replacement will receive those votes. The replacement, state Rep. Joe Negron, has just under five weeks to campaign.

The National Republican Congressional Committee spent the money between Foley’s resignation Sept. 29 and Oct. 10, when the filing was made to the Federal Elections Commission. Foley was considered likely to be re-elected easily until his sexually explicit Internet messages to teenage male House pages were publicized.

Mahoney’s campaign notes that the group has committed to spend another $690,000 by reserving air time through

Nov. 7.