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.
* New York’s gubernatorial race will likely get a significant shake-up when Long Island Democrat Steve Levy runs as a Republican.
* Support for Connie Saltonstall, who is challenging Rep. Bart Stupak (Mich.) in a Democratic primary, keeps growing — the National Organization for Women is now getting behind Saltonstall’s campaign.
* If Rasmussen is to be believed, Sen. John McCain’s (R) lead over his Arizona primary challenger, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, is slipping — McCain is now up by seven, 48% to 41%.
* The latest survey from Public Policy Polling continues to show Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) struggling with a 35% approval rating. However, the same poll shows Burr leading his largely unknown Democratic challengers.
* It looks like Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is even more vulnerable than previously thought. A new Field Poll shows her trailing Tom Campbell (R) by one point, and leading the other GOP candidates by narrow margins.
* In Connecticut’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, Ned Lamont leads Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy in a new Quinnipiac poll, but “undecided” leads them both.
* Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary is now a three-way tie between businessman Rick Snyder, state Attorney General Mike Cox, and Rep. Pete Hoekstra.
* Retired football player Jon Runyan will join the GOP field hoping to take on Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.) in November.
* And in South Dakota, former Obama campaign guru Steve Hildebrand is considering running against Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in a Democratic primary. “I want to see how she votes on health care,” Hildebrand said. “If the vote is very, very close and we lose it or come close to losing it, I will take a seriously look at challenging her… She is on the wrong side of history.”
