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:
* After a heated primary and some hurt feelings, Dems in Illinois’ 6th congressional district are closing ranks. [tag]Christine Cegelis[/tag] formally endorsed [tag]Tammy Duckworth[/tag] yesterday, after initially balking at the idea. The Hill reported that Cegelis changed her mind after talking to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). Duckworth faces state Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) in November.
* Republicans in New York don’t give former Yonkers Mayor [tag]John Spencer[/tag] much of a shot against Sen. Hillary Clinton this year, so he’s taking his show on the road. The New York Times reported today that Spencer is planning a 30-state fundraising drive to try to rally support to his campaign. The announcement comes shortly after Spencer picked up some GOP establishment support, including endorsements from Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) and Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), who is also chairman of the House Conservatives Fund.
* Speaking of New York, Spencer’s Senate primary opponent, Katherine Troia “KT” [tag]McFarland[/tag], recently made some key additions to her campaign staff — by hiring some of those who quit Katherine Harris’ campaign in Florida. Longtime Harris adviser Adam Goodman signed up with McFarland yesterday.
* In Colorado, [tag]Eric Eidness[/tag] has thrown a curveball into the race for the state’s 4th congressional district by leaving the Republican Party and running on the Reform Party ticket. As reported by Roll Call, Eidsness told The Daily Times Call in Longmont that he is troubled by the way the Republican Party has handled Iraq, the federal deficit, and Hurricane Katrina. “I’m shocked,” Eidsness said. “It’s not the party I joined when I was a young man.” Eidness will face Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R) and state Rep. Angie Paccione (D) in November.
* And in California, a new Survey and Policy Research Institute poll shows the state’s gubernatorial campaign very close, though Gov. [tag]Arnold Schwarzenegger[/tag] (R) enjoys a small lead over his Dem rivals. Schwarzenegger leads Phil Angelides (D), 40% to 37%, and edges out Steve Westly (D), 38% to 37% (via Taegan Goddard).