WEDNESDAY’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.
* Norm Coleman’s lawyer argued yesterday that the election in Minnesota was “a fatally-flawed election,” and hinted that he’d like to see a court-imposed do-over.
* Americans United for Change and AFSCME have unveiled an ad celebrating the passage of the stimulus bill.
* Almost simultaneously, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, both Democrats, announced yesterday they will run for Ohio’s open U.S. Senate seat.
* If the latest Quinnipiac poll in Florida is any indication, Tampa mayor Pam Iorio (D) may be a major factor in next year’s open Senate race. The poll shows Iorio tied with Rep. Kendrick Meek as the Democratic favorite, though most voters are undecided. Iorio has not yet announced her intentions.
* Speaking of Florida, the same Quinnipiac poll shows Gov. Charlie Crist (R) well positioned for 2010, whether he seeks re-election or runs for the Senate.
* Might Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) face a further-right primary challenger next year? Attorney David Leavitt, who’s already lost a few Republican campaigns, seems to be moving in that direction.
* Jill Hazelbaker, the former national communications director for McCain/Palin, has signed on to work for Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s re-election campaign in New York City.
* Republicans wouldn’t mind if Rep. Walt Minnick (D) of Idaho switched parties, but Minnick says he’s sticking with the Dems.
