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:
* In Iowa, a brand new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Rick Perry leading the Republican presidential field with 22% with Mitt Romney second with 19%. Michele Bachmann, thought to be the Iowa frontrunner, is now a close third with 18%.
* The DNC has produced a new 30-second spot made up entirely of Jon Huntsman’s criticisms of his fellow Republican presidential candidates.
* In a bit of a surprise, Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced yesterday he will not take on Sen. Orrin Hatch in a Republican primary in Utah next year. Whether Hatch may face a different primary challenger remains unclear.
* Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R) American Principles Project will host a forum for GOP presidential candidates in South Carolina in a couple of weeks. Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman aren’t invited because they’re too far down in the polls.
* MassUniting, a labor-backed coalition in Massachusetts, has a good new ad out, going after Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) as “Bobble Head Brown” for the frequency with which he goes along with the Republican agenda.
* Former Rep. Christopher Shays (R), who lost his re-election bid three years ago, will run for the Senate in Connecticut next year. After moving back to the state — Shays relocated to Maryland after losing — he’ll likely face a crowded primary.
* Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) announced yesterday he will not run for the U.S. Senate next year.
* In Michigan, a new EPIC-MRA poll shows Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) leading former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R), 47% to 38%. The nine-point lead is significantly higher than the two-point lead she had a few months ago.
* Mississippi will hold its Democratic gubernatorial runoff today, putting Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree against businessman Bill Luckett. The winner will face Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant (R) in November.
