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:
* Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R) announced over the weekend that he will not run for the Senate next year, despite pressure from party leaders. He will instead seek a third gubernatorial term next year. So, who will take on Bernie Sanders in the race to replace Jim Jeffords? Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie (R), Vermont’s most conservative statewide office-holder, described himself as “very interested” in the campaign, while businessman Richard Tarrant told reporters on Saturday that he’s putting a team together to explore the race, but wouldn’t make a decision until the summer.
* U.S. Rep. and former football coach Tom Osborne will seek the Republican nomination for governor next year and will give up his House seat. Osborne’s announcement sets up a major primary fight with current Gov. Dave Heineman (R), who assumed the post when Mike Johanns was tapped to be Bush’s Agriculture Secretary, and who has already said he’s running for a full term.
* Less than a week after throwing his hat in the ring, Rep. Ben Cardin’s (D) Senate campaign in Maryland will get off to a strong start today when House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) offers the race’s first major endorsement.
* In a blow to Iowa Dems who had hoped for a competitive open-seat race, Rep. Jim Leach (R) is already making plans to seek a 16th term. Leach’s 2nd congressional district backed Kerry and Gore by considerable margins, but continues to back a Republican House member.
* Adding to the list of second- and third-tier candidates willing to take on Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), state Health Commissioner Antonia Novello is apparently considering the race. Novello is perhaps best known for serving as the U.S. surgeon general for the first President Bush.
* Sen. John Kerry weighed in on the Los Angeles mayoral race Saturday, endorsing Antonio Villaraigosa at a rally at Los Angeles Valley College. Villaraigosa will face incumbent Mayor James Hahn in a May 17 runoff, which looks more and more like it will be a blow-out.
* Despite legal prohibitions on houses of worship intervening in political campaigns, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) spent three-hours at a charismatic evangelical church in Brooklyn and came away with an endorsement by its pastor. The Rev. A. R. Bernard Sr., who endorsed Bloomberg four years ago and served on his mayoral transition team after his election, once again threw his support behind the mayor.