Monday’s political round-up

September 12, 2005

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 just two months to go before Virginia voters choose their next governor, former state Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) continues to hold a narrow lead over Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D), 45% to 41%. Kaine is well within striking distance, but he’s having trouble capitalizing on Gov. Mark Warner’s (D) popularity. An impressive 76% of Virginians approve of the job Warner is doing.

* Dems in New York City will go to the polls tomorrow to pick the party’s candidate to challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) in the fall. A WNBC-Marist College poll shows former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, the longtime front-runner, ahead with 34%, while up-and-comer Rep. Anthony Weiner has solidified his hold on second place with 27%. A new Quinnipiac poll out this morning shows the race even closer, with Ferrer at 32% and Weiner at 25%. If no candidate gets 40%, as now seems likely, there will be a run-off.

* In New Jersey, Sen. Jon Corzine (D) has widened his lead over Doug Forrester in the state gubernatorial race. A new Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers poll shows Corzine with 48% and Forrester at 28% among all voters. Among likely voters, the news is only slightly better for the Republican — Corzine 49%, Forrester 31%.

* If North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven (R) enters the Senate race next year as the GOP establishment hopes, he’ll likely be a very competitive candidate. A new poll shows Hoevan leading incumbent Sen. Kent Conrad (D), 35% to 27%. A whopping 27% remain undecided.

* Cranston (R.I.) Mayor Stephen Laffey (R) may have just launched a primary challenge against Sen. Linc Chafee (R-R.I.), but he’s not getting any support from Chafee’s colleagues, many of whom are rallying behind the incumbent. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, “Not only am I, but our entire [GOP] Conference is committed to Linc’s re-election.” Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) echoed McConnell’s pledge of loyalty.

Kent Conrad should have a (D).

  • Weighing in on the Kaine/Kilgore race from VA. Definitely Kaine can pull it out…Virginians are just waking up to the governor’s race and taking note…Also…Look for Mark Warner as a presidential candidate in 2008. Who were those other two southern governor’s who came from nowhere to win??? Carter and Clinton….I think Warner has the ‘stuff’. Virginia is one of the best run states in the country…too bad we’re RED. It’s painful, believe me.

  • In New Jersey, Sen. Jon Corzine (D) has widened his lead over Doug Forrester in the state gubernatorial race.

    What happens to Corzine’s seat? Is he up for reelection in 2006? If he wins, he gets to pick his replacement, right? if so, when does the seat get reelected?

  • If he wins, he gets to pick his replacement, right?

    If Corzine wins, he’ll get to name his own replacement to serve out the balance of his Senate term. This has led to a series of top-tier Dems working hard to help Corzine and stay in his good graces. The top contenders, at this point, appear to be Reps. Bob Menendez, Frank Pallone, and Rob Andrews.

    Regardless, if Corzine wins, his replacement won’t have much time to get settled in the Senate. He (or she) will have to run for another term a year later, in 2006.

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