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:
* With a little over two weeks before voters decide the next governor of New Jersey, Sen. Jon Corzine’s (D) lead in the polls is bouncing back nicely. A new Rasmussen poll shows Corzine leading Doug Forrester by nine (49% to 40%), which is up from seven points two weeks ago. Similarly, a new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll has Corzine up, 45% to 38%.
* Fueling rumors that Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) may be contemplating retirement, he raised less than $27,000 in the last quarter.
* Radiologist J.R. Damron (R), a first-time political candidate, announced this week that he will take on New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) next year. Damron will face another novice, the Rev. George Bailey Jr., in a GOP primary.
* Jim Gibson (D), a lawyer and the mayor of Henderson, Nevada’s second-largest city, announced yesterday that he is running for governor next year. He’ll face State Sen. Dina Titus (D) in a primary, while Rep. Jim Gibbons, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, and state Sen. Bob Beers will compete in a GOP primary.
* Republicans in Massachusetts have finally found an opponent for Sen. Edward Kennedy next year. Businessman Kevin Scott (R) announced his candidacy this week.
* In Alaska, Former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin (R) announced this week that she will run for governor. Palin is the first Republican to declare for the race, but she is not a popular figure in state GOP circles — Palin filed ethics complaints against state GOP Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich and former Attorney General Gregg Renkes (R) that resulted in a fine for Ruedrich and eventually cost Renkes his job.