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:
* West Virginia will hold its gubernatorial special election tomorrow, and the outcome is far from clear. Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) has led for much of the campaign, but a new survey from Public Policy Polling shows his lead all but disappearing as the candidates reach the finish line. Tomblin leads Bill Maloney (R) in the poll, 47% to 46%.
* South Carolina Republicans have chosen the new date of their presidential primary. Responding to Florida’s move last week, South Carolina will now hold its primary on Jan. 21. This will, of course, have a domino effect with the other early nominating contests.
* On a related note, the Nevada GOP’s executive board is also moving its presidential caucuses to mid-January as a consequence of Florida’s move. The exact date remains unclear, but Nevada expects to go the Saturday after New Hampshire’s primary, whenever that may be.
* The rumors surrounding New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) possible presidential campaign are circulating wildly. Unnamed sources — people reportedly “close to the governor” — continue to say he’s seriously considering the race.
* In Massachusetts, Sen. Scott Brown (R) leads Elizabeth Warren (D) by just three points in a new UMass-Lowell/Boston Herald poll, 41% to 38%,
* The communications director for Herman Cain’s presidential campaign has resigned. This comes on the heels of departures from a series of other key Cain staffers, which generally isn’t a good sign.
* Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum believes “somebody in Florida” is involved in a conspiracy involving the nominating calendar. With the Sunshine State moving up its primary, Santorum believes there’s a scheme to “help the favorites.”
* Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) continues to put his name out there to be the eventual GOP nominee’s running mate. He’s done more lobbying on this than anyone else in the party.
