MONDAY’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 Florida’s closely watched GOP Senate primary, a new Rasmussen poll shows Marco Rubio building on his earlier leads, and now tops Florida Gov. Charlie Crist by 18 points, 54% to 36%.
* New York Gov. David Paterson (D) announced over the weekend that he will ignore everyone’s advice and run for a second term. A new Siena College poll shows him trailing state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) in a primary by 42 points.
* Speaking of New York, the same Siena poll shows Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) leading her likely primary rival, Tennessee’s Harold Ford Jr., 42% to 16%. Neither are especially well known statewide.
* In Pennsylvania, former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel (D) announced that he will run to succeed the late John Murtha in the 12th district. Murtha’s widow, Joyce, will apparently not seek the seat.
* And speaking of the Keystone State, Rep. Jim Gerlach (R) got some good news when his primary challenger, Steve Welch, ended his campaign.
* Dispelling any rumors, Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the House’s longest-serving member, has announced he will seek re-election.
* Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) isn’t retiring, either.
* Former representative and recently-released felon James Traficant (D-Ohio) is eyeing a comeback, but missed a filing deadline for candidates last week. Traficant may, however, still run as an independent.
* And Texas Rep. Ron Paul (R) won CPAC’s 2012 straw poll on Saturday night.
