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.
* It’s been hard to keep track of the status of Doug Hoffman’s unsuccessful congressional election in New York’s 23rd — he’s conceded and unconceded a couple of times — but as of yesterday, he’s officially done. Maybe Hoffman will stick to this one.
* With two weeks to go until the primaries in Massachusetts’ special election to fill Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat, a Rasmussen poll shows the Democratic race tightening a little. State Attorney General Martha Coakley still enjoys a big lead over Rep. Michael Capuano, 36% to 21%, but the margin appears to be shrinking a bit.
* Speaking of Massachusetts, Rasmussen shows Gov. Deval Patrick (D) with small leads over his rivals in next year’s re-election fight. Patrick’s edge comes by way of a three-way contest, with State Treasurer Tim Cahill running as an independent.
* In New York, former mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) hasn’t said whether he’ll run for the Senate next year against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), but Rasmussen and Zogby both have new polls showing him leading the appointed incumbent.
* The crowded GOP Senate primary in Connecticut is starting to thin out, with former Ambassador Tom Foley (R) shifting his attention from the Senate race to the gubernatorial race.
* California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) announced to Jay Leno last night that Republican state Sen. Abel Maldonado is his choice to be the new lieutenant governor. Whether the legislature will approve the nomination is unclear.
* Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jon Runyan intends to run as a Republican against Rep. John Adler (D) in New Jersey next year, but he’s rejoining the NFL first, to play for the San Diego Chargers.
* Might former Rep. J.D. Hayworth take on Sen. John McCain in a Republican primary in Arizona next year? Hayworth seems to be thinking about it.
* And annoying speculation shifts from Lou Dobbs’ interest in running for president to Lou Dobbs’ interest in running for the Senate.
