Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) made his initial foray into New Hampshire over the weekend and it reportedly went pretty well. U.S. News ran an item this week calling him “white-hot on the Democratic presidential circuit,” and quoting Republican Rep. Tom Davis describing Warner as “presidential material.”
* Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) finally has a Republican opponent for next year’s re-election campaign — in fact, he has two. Kevin Scott, a town official in Wakefield, and Kenneth Chase appear ready to face off in a Republican primary next year, though no one gives them much of a shot. To qualify for the primary, each must gather 10,000 certified signatures by May.
* In Iowa, the gubernatorial campaign of Shenandoah Mayor Gregg Connell (D) came to an abrupt end just 10 days after it began. Connell was involved in a fatal auto accident last week in which he was ticketed for running a stop sign. “Although my desire and passion to lead Iowa remain strong, I must take a break from the demanding campaign schedule to spend time with my family and recover from the effects of this tragic accident,” according to a written statement issued by Connell and his family.
* While there’s still some discussion in Dem circles about who should run for governor in California next year, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) is really thinking ahead. According to a report in the Orange County Register, Sanchez has established a political action committee to prepare her for the state’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign. (via Taegan Goddard)
* Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was in South Carolina over the weekend, doing some political work in the region’s first presidential primary state. McCain, who was campaigning for South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster’s re-election bid, said he’s still thinking about 2008. “I think the 2006 elections will be a good indication of the direction the country’s taking, what their priorities are, and whether my agenda, my philosophy and my views… are in keeping with enough people that I would have a viable candidacy… I haven’t thought of anything that would keep me from running, but I haven’t thought of anything that would make me run.”