Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that won’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* With his House district disappearing, Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) was bound to run for higher office in 2012. Now we know which one — Donnelly will launch a Senate campaign today, eyeing a seat currently help by Sen. Dick Lugar (R), who’s facing a tough primary campaign.
* In Virginia’s closely-watched Senate race, a new Washington Post poll shows Tim Kaine (D) and George Allen (R) tied at 46% each among registered voters. Both are also the overwhelming favorites to win their respective parties’ nominations.
* Disgraced former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has hired a campaign manager and will reportedly kick off his presidential campaign on Wednesday.
* Apparently concerned about the GOP’s chances in the special election in New York’s 26th, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will visit the area today to support Jane Corwin (R), whose campaign has struggled of late.
* The South Carolina Republican Party held a presidential straw poll over the weekend at the Silver Elephant Dinner. Rick Santorum, the only candidate to show up, won easily.
* In Missouri, Ed Martin (R) will end his Senate campaign, and will apparently run for the House in the state’s 2nd congressional district. The seat is currently held by Rep. Todd Akin (R), who’s interested in the Senate.
* Democrat Tarryl Clark, who took on Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) in Minnesota last year, will switch districts and run against Rep. Chip Cravaack (R) in 2012.
* And former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R), whose 2008 presidential campaign was remarkable in its ineptitude, hasn’t ruled out trying again. “My major goal is to elect a Republican in 2012,” he said over the weekend. “If it turns out that I’m the best one to do that, I can probably be talked into doing it or convince myself to do it.”
