FRANKFORT, Ky.  —  The battle over a Senate seat from Kentucky continues to be personal.

Incumbent Republican Senator Jim Bunning (search) says people working for his Democratic opponent left Bunning's wife bruised-up after an incident at a picnic over the summer.

The opponent — State Senator Daniel Mongiardo (search) — denies the charge, calling it "outrageous" and "obviously not true."

The latest personal jab between the two candidates came after a debate during which Bunning accused Mongiardo's staff of spreading rumors that he's sick. At the same time, he apologized for saying Mongiardo looks like one of Saddam Hussein's sons.

After the debate, Bunning told reporters that his wife, Mary, was "black and blue" because of someone from the Mongiardo campaign "absolutely running into her" at an event over the summer.

Mongiardo says he saw nothing of the sort occur.