Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) has penned a e-mail fundraising appeal for ex-Rep. Larry LaRocco (D), who is hoping to upset Lt. Gov. Jim Risch (R) in their quest to replace retiring Sen. Larry Craig (R).

“Larry LaRocco is an underdog in this year’s Senate race in Idaho,” Tester writes in the appeal. “But I’ve been in his shoes and, frankly, I like his chances.”

Tester, a freshman, beat three-term incumbent Sen. Conrad Burns (R) in 2006. LaRocco is hoping to beat Risch, to whom he lost the 2006 lieutenant governor’s race.