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.
* In a surprise move, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) will announce today that she’s skipping both the U.S. Senate race and the gubernatorial race next year. She was expected to run for one or the other, but will instead seek re-election.
* New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (R) is resigning her post to pursue a U.S. Senate campaign, to the delight of NRSC recruiters. In New Hampshire, state attorneys general are appointed, and this will be Ayotte’s first campaign for elective office. It’s likely she’ll face Republican primary opponents.
* Ayotte had committed to serving as the state attorney general through 2013, prompting New Hampshire Democrats to issue a statement that read, “We’re seeing a national trend where Republicans have abandoned their responsibilities to their constituents in favor of political gain. From Alaska to New Hampshire, Republicans just can’t seem to honor their commitment to the public. Not unlike Sarah Palin, Kelly Ayotte has broken her promise to the people she represents and put politics before public service.”
* The latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows Bob McDonnell (R) leading Creigh Deeds (D) in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, 49% to 43%. The same poll showed Republican candidates ahead in the contests for lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well.
* His favored Republican successor continues to raise money for a campaign, but Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) told local reporters yesterday he still plans to seek re-election.
* There were reports that Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D) may have been thinking about running for governor of South Dakota, but yesterday, she announced she’s seeking re-election to the House.
* And freshman Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) hasn’t ruled out a primary challenge against Sen. Bob Bennett (R) in Utah next year.
