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:
* New Jersey Gov.-elect Jon Corzine (D) is expected to formally announce that Rep. Bob Menendez (D) will replace him in the U.S. Senate at a 2:00 pm press conference today at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Menendez reportedly accepted the offer yesterday.
* Minnesota, the only state in the nation to vote for the Dem presidential candidate in each of the last eight elections, is one of those key states that Republicans had hoped to turn from “blue” to “red.” A new statewide poll shows that’s less likely to happen than ever. Bush’s approval rating in the state is down to just 33%, and the GOP is hurting down-ballot as well. In the Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Mark Dayton (D), Republicans have rallied behind Rep. Mark Kennedy (R), but his support has slipped badly in recent months. Even Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), rumored to be a potential presidential candidate, has lost support — when asked whether they would back for Pawlenty for re-election, 39% said yes and 42% said no.
* Due for some good in-state news, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) is poised to pick up a big endorsement for his re-election bid next year — from a Republican. Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.), widely considered a moderate, said yesterday that he’s “giving serious consideration” to supporting Lieberman’s campaign next year.
* In Texas, Kinky Friedman officially filed his declaration of intent to run as an independent candidate for governor with the secretary of state yesterday. On an unusually cold day in Texas, Friedman pledged to put “a chill up the spine of every politician.”
* The Iowa gubernatorial race still has plenty of candidates on both sides, but two candidates appear to be emerging as the parties’ nominees. According to a recent statewide Research 2000 poll, Rep. Jim Nussle (R) and Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver (D) with big leads among primary voters. The poll is a setback for former Economic Development Director Mike Blouin (D), who has enjoyed subtle support from Gov. Tom Vilsack (D).
* Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) is up for re-election next year, but state Republicans seem to be having trouble finding a candidate to run against him. State Rep. Beth Harwell (R) and radio talk show host Steve Gill (R) have been rumored as possibilities, but neither seems willing, at this point, to enter the race. The sticking point seems to be over campaign cash — Bredesen, a strong fundraiser, has reportedly collected more than $3 million on hand, and has a personal fortune that he’d be willing to invest in the race if necessary.