TUESDAY’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.
* With Sen. Jim Bunning (R) retiring in Kentucky, what does the landscape look like for the open-seat contest? For Republicans, Trey Grayson, Kentucky’s secretary of state, is likely to have the field to himself, and has been raising money for months, assuming Bunning would eventually step aside. For Democrats, the contest will come down to state Attorney General Jack Conway and Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo.
* Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R) has been cagey about his future political plans, and there’s been widespread speculation about whether he would run for governor in Minnesota next year. According to a local report, Coleman is “telling friends and political colleagues he will not run for that spot.” Expect an official announcement in the Spring.
* Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher’s (D) Senate campaign got a bit of a boost yesterday when he received an endorsement from Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio). Fisher, who is running against Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner in a Democratic primary, has also received the backing of Gov. Ted Strickland (D).
* When President Obama hosts a health care event in Virginia tomorrow, gubernatorial hopeful Creigh Deeds will not join him on the stage. The event is in Washington County, where Obama only received 33% of the vote in 2008, despite winning Virginia overall.
* Has the DSCC finally found a credible challenger for Sen. Richard Burr (R) in North Carolina next year? Perhaps. North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall was in DC yesterday to chat about the race with party leaders.
* And in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is still considered the favorite as he seeks a third term, but the incumbent’s lead over NYC Comptroller William Thompson (D) has shrunk considerably in recent months. A new Quinnipiac poll shows Bloomberg ahead, 47% to 37%.
