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:
* A new SurveyUSA poll shows Jerry Kilgore (R) leading Tim Kaine (D) in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, 49% to 39%. Other polls had shown Kaine closing the gap to mid-single digits recently.
* Tennessee banker Bernard “Scooter” Clippard (R) announced this week that he will not challenge Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) next year, just two months after forming an exploratory committee to prepare his campaign. Clippard decided he is not “financially or personally prepared” for the race. Because he was the state GOP’s top choice, Clippard leaves Republicans without a top-tier challenger. State Rep. Beth Harwell (R) and state Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey (R) are said to be considering the race.
* If money helps drive campaigns, Rep. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) should be considered the frontrunner in Maryland’s Senate campaign for next year. Cardin has raised more than $1 million since entering the race. His next closest competitor, fellow Dem Kweisi Mfume, has raised $150,000 during the three-month fund-raising period.
* Speaking of candidate fundraising, Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver (D) raised about $500,000 in the last three months for his likely gubernatorial campaign, putting him out in front among Dem candidates.
* Former Nebraska Republican Party Chairman David Kramer announced his campaign for the Senate this week and launched a four-day swing across the state to try and rally support. He’s facing former state Attorney General Don Stenberg (R) for the right to take on Sen. Ben Nelson (D) next year. This is Kramer’s first run for elected office.