THURSDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP….Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers.
* Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D) explained yesterday that if he becomes governor soon, he’s inclined to go ahead and fill the Senate vacancy, instead of waiting for a special election. Quinn emphasized the importance of moving quickly.
* In the lingering race in Louisiana’s 4th congressional district, Democrat Paul Carmouche officially conceded yesterday, making John Fleming (R) the winner in the open-seat contest.
* Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), who seemed oddly unsteady during his last campaign four years ago, noted yesterday that he plans to seek re-election in 2010. Rep. Ben Chandler and Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo are considered the leading Democratic candidates for the race.
* Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) apparently intends to run for governor in 2010. He’ll likely face state Attorney General Tom Corbett and former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan in a GOP primary.
* The American Constitution Society has been around for a few years, serving as something akin to a liberal version of the conservative Federalist Society, but when it comes to political significance, the ACS is about to get quite a bit more attention.
