FRIDAY’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’s Senate race, the latest Research 2000 poll shows Sharon Angle jumping out in front of the GOP field with 34% support. Sue Lowden continues to falter and drops to 25%, with Danny Tarkanian a close third with 24%. In general election match-ups, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) now leads all three of the leading Republicans, in margins ranging from four to six points.
* And speaking of Nevada, the state’s gubernatorial race is also getting more interesting. The Research 2000 poll shows Brian Sandoval cruising past incumbent Gov. Jim Gibbons in a Republican primary. In the general election, Sandoval leads Rory Reid by 10, while Reid leads Gibbons by 21.
* In Connecticut, Rasmussen recently showed Richard Blumenthal (D) leading Linda McMahon (R) by just a few points. In its new poll, Rasmussen shows Blumenthal up by 23 points, 56% to 33%.
* Speaking of McMahon, the former wrestling company executive isn’t sure whether steroids are a health hazard. She wasn’t kidding.
* As if Florida’s election season couldn’t get any screwier, Lawton “Bud” Chiles III, son of the former Democratic governor, announced he’s running for governor this year as an independent. He has never held elected office. (thanks to reader V.S.)
* Arguably the nation’s most competitive Senate race is in Missouri this year, where Rasmussen shows Rep. Roy Blunt (R) leading Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) by just one point, 45% to 44%
* It looks like California’s GOP gubernatorial primary is turning into a rout — a new Field Poll shows Meg Whitman with a two-to-one lead over state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, 51% to 25%.
* Faced with limited prospects, Washington State Senator Don Benton (R) ended his Senate campaign yesterday, and endorsed his primary rival, Dino Rossi.
* In Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary, the latest EPIC-MRA poll shows Rep. Pete Hoekstra leading a multi-candidate field with 30%.
* Nikki Haley’s (R) gubernatorial campaign in South Carolina will get a boost starting today with robocalls recorded by former half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). Palin had previously denounced all robocalls, and these new ones may violate state law.
* And in Alabama, we won’t have Rep. Artur Davis (D) to kick around anymore — he’s apparently done with politics for good after a humiliating defeat this week in a gubernatorial primary.
