MONDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP…. Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* The U.S. Senate race in Alaska isn’t wrapping up quite yet, with a federal judge announcing late Friday that he’s halting the certification of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R) write-in victory. The court didn’t rule on the merits, but paused the process until a state court could hear Joe Miller’s (R) case. With that in mind, Miller will likely go to state court in Alaska today.
* Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), apparently unconcerned with alienating Murkowski further, is still pushing far-right activists to send money to Miller to help pay for his lawsuits.
* The latest count shows Rep. Tim Bishop (D) inching ahead of GOP challenger Randy Altschuler in their still unresolved U.S. House race on Long Island. The final outcome is still probably weeks away.
* Speaking of lingering House races, Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), perhaps best known for being ambushed on video by Republican operatives earlier this year, conceded defeat the other day. The incumbent lost to anti-Muslim nurse Renee Ellmers.
* The Virginia Republican Party will choose its 2012 Senate candidate in a primary, rather than at a state convention. This will likely improve former Sen. George Allen’s (R) odds.
* Maryland’s gubernatorial race was home to one of the year’s ugliest voter-suppression schemes. Former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich (R), the intended beneficiary, doesn’t want to talk about the controversy.
* Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) will replace Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) as the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
* Former senator and presidential candidate Carol Moseley Braun (D) has entered Chicago’s mayoral race, making the competitive contest that much more crowded.
* In 2012 news, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) both made it sound as if they’re not running for president, but few actually believe them.
* And on a related note, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested yesterday she’s done seeking elected office altogether.
