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. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), retiring, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) is interested in running.
* Chris Cillizza reviews the top five most likely Democratic candidates in Indiana, a list that includes Ellsworth, Rep. Baron Hill, former gubernatorial candidate Jim Schellinger, Rep. Joe Donnelly, and longtime state lawmaker Vi Simpson.
* As for Bayh’s future plans, he’s not running for president.
* With Bayh departing, is there any chance Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) will reconsider his decision not to run? Apparently not.
* In Arizona, anti-immigration activist, Chris Simcox, the co-founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, has ended his Senate primary campaign against Sen. John McCain (R). He threw his support to former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, who formally entered the race yesterday.
* In California, a Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) leading all of her GOP opponents in hypothetical match-ups, but only by margins ranging from four to five points.
* Former Pennsylvania state Treasurer Barbara Hafer (D) announced yesterday she will run to succeed the late Rep. John Murtha (D), who passed away last week.
* In Washington state, a Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Patty Murray (D) with big leads over her GOP rivals, but trailing former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi (R), who has not yet decided whether to run.
* House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is facing two far-right primary opponents this year, a first in his 20-year career.
* And in Arizona, Ben Quayle, Dan Quayle’s son, is running for the open seat in Arizona’s 3rd district. The 33-year-old attorney has never before sought elected office.
