Scott Kleeb is officially in, Tony Raimondo kicked off his campaign Tuesday and both Democrats wasted no time firing punches at Republican Mike Johanns.

Tuesday Johanns fired back, defending himself against what his campaign is calling false accusations.

"The charges are ludicrous. It's off base," said Chris Peterson, Johanns' campaign manager.

False accusations and bipartisan attacks. That's the response Mike Johanns'' campaign manager had to statements made by Democratic candidates Scott Kleeb and Tony Raimondo as they kicked off their Senate campaigns.

"I don't know that it was a surprise, but certainly disappointing, the fact is when candidates announce their campaigns for any office you would think, and voters would expect, they would take the high road and be positive and talk about their vision," Peterson said.

But both candidates opened fire on Johanns, unfortunately Peterson says Monday's accusations weren't backed by facts.

"Walking away from the Farm Bill in a time when we still don't have a Farm Bill and as a Sec. of Ag., that's a very critical issue you need to address and he was unable to close," said Scott Kleeb.

"Johanns pushed farm bill as far as could," Peterson said. "When announced running, one things said was he learned in Washington to make a difference for Nebraska is he needed a vote."

"Only someone adept in the ways of Washington could support the highest tax increase in history of the country under Bill Clinton," Raimondo.

Peterson said Johanns supported a summer employment program not taxes and questioned any criticism coming from Raimondo.

"Four months ago Raimondo said Johanns had very positive record, it's a quote, now taking shot after shot, some unfair of distortions, quite an about face by Raimondo," Peterson said.

"It's quite clear that both Kleeb and Raimondo said were really distorting the record and not being accurate with punches they were throwing," he said.

For more on Tony Raimondo, click here.

For more on Mike Johanns, click here.

For more on Scott Kleeb, click here.