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:
* Rep. [tag]Katherine Harris[/tag] (R-Fla.) received some mildly encouraging news yesterday when [tag]Tom Rooney[/tag], nephew of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, announced he will not take on Harris in a Senate primary. Rooney said he was unconcerned about Harris’ $10 million commitment to the race, but conceded he lacked the time to mount a serious challenge and wasn’t interested “playing spoiler for somebody or just running to lose.”
* In a key special election in California’s 50th congressional district, [tag]Francine Busby[/tag] (D) appears well positioned to fill the seat left vacant by Duke Cunningham’s (R) departure. In a new SurveyUSA poll, Busby (D) leads the pack with 45%, well ahead of her GOP challengers including Eric Roach (14%), Howard Kaloogian (12%) and Brian Bilbray (10%). The special election is April 11. If no candidate gets 50%, there will be a run-off. If Busby does get a majority, she’ll win the seat outright until November.
* In Nebraska, former Ameritrade executive [tag]Pete Ricketts[/tag] (R), running in a primary to challenge Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) in November, has now spent $2.5 million of his own money on the race — so far. He has shattered personal campaign funding records in Nebraska and may end up paying about $13 a vote.
* Former FBI whistle-blower [tag]Coleen Rowley[/tag] (D) caught a break in her congressional campaign yesterday when State Sen. [tag]Sharon Marko[/tag] (D) dropped out of the race. Marko’s announcement leaves Rowley as the overwhelming favorite to get the Dem nomination to take on Rep. [tag]John Kline[/tag] (R) in November.
* In Illinois, Democratic state Sen. James Meeks (D) has announced that he’s collecting petition signatures to run for governor as an independent. As Alec Oveis noted, “Meeks hardly has a chance at winning, but this could significantly hurt [Gov. [tag]Rod Blagojevich[/tag]’s (D)] draw in the inner-city Chicago and improve [tag]Judy Baar Topinka[/tag]’s chances at winning.”
* And in 2008 news, Arkansas Republican Gov. [tag]Mike Huckabee[/tag] traveled to New Hampshire yesterday, his third visit since August. Huckabee acknowledged that the visits are related to the presidential race, though he has not “officially” made up his mind. “It would be disingenuous of me to say I just happened to be in New Hampshire,” he said.