From CNN Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry is expanding his fundraising efforts to include John Laesch, a Democrat challenging House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, in November. Kerry made the announcement in an e-mail to political supporters, hours before President Bush is scheduled to stand with Hastert at a fundraiser in suburban Chicago.

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, noted the Foley page scandal, former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham's bribery conviction and the resignation of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who is under indictment in Texas, in the fundraising e-mail solicitation.

"Speaker Hastert was planning a victory march from one congressional district to another," Kerry wrote. "That's until one Republican candidate after another begged him to stay home and not bring the debate about his shameful failures of leadership into their races."

Kerry, who is seriously considering a run again for president, has been active on the campaign trail for Democrats this election cycle.

For more of CNN's coverge of key races, check out America Votes 2006