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 Nevada, a new Suffolk University poll shows Sharron Angle jumping out in front in the Republican Senate primary with 33% support. Danny Tarkanian is second in the poll with 26%, followed by Sue Lowden at 25%. A Research 2000 poll, to be released soon, is expected to show similar results.
* Starting to panic a bit, Lowden is now running attack ads against Angle, including this bizarre spot connecting Angle to Scientologists.
* And in still more Nevada GOP news, Lowden is also confronting new questions about whether her recent campaign spending violates federal election laws.
* Earlier this week, former Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Calif.) announced he was pulling his Senate campaign ads from the TV airwaves, but tomorrow, his campaign will reportedly make one more pre-primary ad push.
* Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska was not expected to face much of a primary challenge this year, but yesterday, former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin (R) announced her support for Murkowski’s Republican opponent, attorney Joe Miller. The party establishment, of course, will stick with the incumbent.
* And speaking of Alaska’s Senate race, Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams (D) announced he’ll take on Murkowski in November, if she wins her primary challenge. (thanks to reader B.M.)
* With time running out in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, Nikki Haley (R) is now facing another round of allegations about an affair.
* In Iowa, the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows former Gov. Terry Branstad (R) leading incumbent Gov. Chet Culver (D) by 15 points, 52% to 37%.
* And in New York, former Rep. Rick Lazio (R) emerged as the party’s gubernatorial favorite at the state GOP convention. The development was a significant blow to state party chairman Ed Cox, who backed former Democrat Steve Levy.
