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.
* Despite evidence that Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) repeatedly and publicly exaggerated his military service, the Republican Senate candidate has not decided whether his constituents are owed an apology.
* There are several key, competitive primaries today in Alabama, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
* Of particular interest in New Mexico, local District Attorney Susana Martinez is the favorite in the Republican gubernatorial primary, in large part due to her successful fundraising. It’s worth emphasizing, though, that most of her war chest is the result of generosity from Texas home builder Bob Perry, who funded the Swiftboat lies of the 2004 presidential campaign.
* It seemed like a foregone conclusion that former Gov. Terry Branstad would cruise to an easy win in next week’s Iowa gubernatorial primary, but the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows him leading the Republican field with just 46% support. Bob Vander Plaats is second with 31%.
* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) will hit the campaign trail in Nevada today alongside First Lady Michelle Obama. Democratic sources continue to emphasize Michelle Obama’s appeal and the likelihood of her playing a very high-profile role in Democratic campaigns this year.
* The four-way contest in Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary is still very close. A new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Rick Snyder narrowly leading the pack with 20%, followed by Pete Hoekstra (R) at 19%, Mike Cox (R) at 17%, and Mike Bouchard (R) at 15%.
* The strategy hasn’t proven to be especially effective thus far, but Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) continues to run ads distancing herself from labor unions. Her runoff primary election against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter is a week from today.
* If you were away yesterday for Memorial Day, the campaign round-up from 24 hours ago had plenty of noteworthy items, too.
