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:
* In Ohio, Dems are leading in both of the state’s two big statewide races. In the closely-watched Senate race, Rep. [tag]Sherrod Brown[/tag] (D) now leads incumbent Sen. [tag]Mike DeWine[/tag] (R) by four points in a new University of Cincinnati poll (.pdf), 51% to 47%. In the gubernatorial race, the same poll shows Rep. [tag]Ted Strickland[/tag] (D) leading Ohio Secretary of State [tag]Ken Blackwell[/tag], 50% to 38%. A new Rasmussen poll shows the Democrat up by a similar margin, 54% to 35%.
* In New Mexico, the latest Rasmussen poll similarly offers good news for Dems in both of its two big statewide races. In the gubernatorial race, Gov. [tag]Bill Richardson[/tag] (D) now leads his Republican challenger, [tag]John Dendahl[/tag], 61% to 26%. The Senate race is only slightly more competitive — incumbent Sen. [tag]Jeff Bingaman[/tag] (D) is maintaining a comfortable lead over Republican challenger [tag]Allen McCulloch[/tag], 56% to 32%.
* In keeping with the trend, Maryland’s two big statewide races also appear to be leaning the Dems’ way. A new Rasmussen poll shows Rep. [tag]Ben Cardin[/tag] (D), fresh off his big primary win, leading Lt. Gov. [tag]Michael Steele[/tag] (R), 50% to 43%, in a Senate race Republicans are eyeing closely. In the gubernatorial race, Baltimore Mayor [tag]Martin O’Malley[/tag] continues to lead incumbent Gov. [tag]Bob Ehrlich[/tag] (R) by seven points, 49% to 42%. The race has been remarkably stable — O’Malley has led by seven in every Rasmussen poll since April.
* Yesterday was primary day in Massachusetts and Washington state, and voters delivered big wins to Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deval Patrick in the Bay State, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) and businessman Mike McGavick (R), who will face off in November in Washington’s Senate race.
* In New York, the latest poll from Siena College’s Research Institute shows [tag]Eliot Spitzer[/tag] leading the [tag]John Faso[/tag] in the gubernatorial race, 72% to 21%. In the Senate race, [tag]Hillary Clinton[/tag] leads [tag]John Spencer[/tag], 62% to 33%.
* And in 2008 news, former Democratic National Committee Chairman [tag]Terry McAuliffe[/tag] has reportedly told friends that he will chair Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign next year, if she runs. As The Hill reported, “Together, Clinton, the favorite to win the Democratic nomination, and McAuliffe, the top money man in Democratic politics, have a good chance of raising $100 million before the first official contest, the Iowa caucuses in January 2008.”