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 the latest in a series of similar announcements from House Republicans, Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) said yesterday that he will not seek re-election next year. He’s the fifth GOP incumbent this month to announce his retirement, through Renzi’s situation is slightly different — his family business was raided earlier this year by the FBI, which is investigating whether he used his federal office for personal gain.
* Remember the borderline-racist “Harold, call me” ads from the Senate race in Tennessee last year? They were produced by Heath Thompson and his Dallas-based firm, Scott Howell & Company — which will now handle advertising for Rudy Giuliani.
* As part of his decision to limit the number of candidate debates and forums, Barack Obama will skip an AARP forum in Iowa on September 20, despite the fact that Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Bill Richardson have already agreed to participate. Locally, Obama’s decision seems to be rather unpopular.
* The rumors are apparently true — if Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) decides not to seek re-election, former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) plans to enter the race. “I am more and more certain Chuck is not going to seek re-election, and my intention is to make my decision before he makes an announcement,” Kerrey told the Lincoln Journal Star.
* Alabama State Sen. Vivian Figures (D) is poised to announce tomorrow that she will take on incumbent Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) next year. Sessions won 59% of the vote against Susan Parker in 2002, and is considered the likely favorite again next year.
* California Attorney General Jerry Brown is mulling yet another gubernatorial campaign, conceding that he’s “talked about it” and “thought about” the 2010 race. Brown, of course, served two terms as governor from 1974 to 1982, in addition to three unsuccessful presidential campaigns.
* And the suntan lotion is going to hit the fan tomorrow, when the DNC meets to decide whether (and how much) to punish Florida for its decision to ignore party rules and move its primary up to Jan. 29. Sen. Bill Nelson (D) has already vowed to file a lawsuit if the party imposes sanctions.