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:
* As the recount wraps up in Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, Mark Dayton (D) appears to have defeated Tom Emmer (R). There are still several hundred ballots the Emmer campaign is challenging, but Dayton’s lead now reportedly stands at nearly 9,000 votes.
* On a related note, despite the apparent fact that there’s no mathematical way for him to win, Emmer has vowed to keep fighting.
* Over the weekend, Indiana state Senator Mike Delph (R) strongly suggested he intends to challenge to Sen. Richard Lugar (R) in 2012.
* On a related note, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has reportedly put his GOP colleagues on notice — “every incumbent” should expect a primary opponent in the next cycle.
* And speaking of Senate primaries, Florida state Senate President Mike Haridopolos (R) is apparently gearing up to take on Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in 2012. Haridopolos would almost certainly go up against appointed Sen. George LeMieux (R), who’ll give up his seat at the end of the lame-duck session.
* Missouri appears to be turning pretty “red,” but the latest survey from Public Policy Polling nevertheless shows incumbent Gov. Jay Nixon (D) looking pretty strong as he gears up for a re-election fight in 2012.
* As the ongoing RNC soap opera continues, the Republican National Committee’s top legal counsel, Reince Priebus, resigned yesterday, and appears likely to run for the chairmanship.
* Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) feels as if speculation on the 2012 presidential race usually leaves his name out — and he doesn’t like it.
* And disgraced former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who’s been talking about a presidential campaign since at least 1995, told Fox News yesterday he’s “much more inclined to run” for president in 2012 than not run.
