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.
* In New York, the latest Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) leads former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) in a Democratic primary, 48% to 23%. If Ford runs as an independent, Gillibrand leads the race with 39%, followed by an unnamed Republican with 34%, and Ford with 10%.
* In Missouri, generally considered one of the Dems’ best Senate pick-up opportunities, a new Rasmussen poll shows Rep. Roy Blunt (R) leading Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D), 49% to 43%.
* In Pennsylvania, Rasmussen shows Sen. Arlen Specter doing surprisingly well in his Democratic primary against Rep. Joe Sestak, leading 53% to 32%.
* Just a week after ending his gubernatorial campaign in California, former Rep. Tom Campbell (R) now leads the Republican field in this year’s Senate race.
* Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway (D) officially kicked off his Senate campaign yesterday. It’s an open-seat contest, with Sen. Jim Bunning (R) retiring.
* Emboldened by the results in Massachusetts, Tea Party activists are targeting Rep. Mark Kirk (R), hoping to defeat his Senate campaign in Illinois.
* And in Nevada, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki (R) had decided not to run against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D), but is now reconsidering his decision.
