Tuesday’s political round-up

September 13, 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:

* Arizona real estate developer Jim Pederson (D) will announce today that he is launching a Senate campaign against incumbent Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), whom many Dems believe may be vulnerable next year. Pederson, an Arizona native, is the former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party who helped elect Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) in 2002. Pederson was heavily recruited by the DSCC, which continues to secure the candidates it wants for the 2006 cycle.

* With Rep. Jim Gibbons leaving his seat to run for governor, the race is on to succeed him. Though the district is generally considered reliable Republican territory, university system Regent Jill Derby announced yesterday that she will run as a Dem.

* The field of Republicans running for governor in Michigan just got a little smaller. Michigan state Sen. Nancy Cassis (R) has quit the race and endorsed businessman Dick DeVos. State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R) remains DeVos’ only primary rival.

* Fairfield University Professor John Orman (D) was anxious to challenge Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) in a primary next year, but has withdrawn from the race. Orman cited Lieberman’s huge cash advantage as the reason he gave up. Orman had raised about $1,000 this year; Lieberman had taken in $3.8 million as of July.

* In Maryland’s open Senate campaign, former Ralph Nader aide Kevin Zeese has thrown his hat in the ring, announcing yesterday that he will run as an independent. Rumor has it Zeese hopes to run on several parties’ ballot slot, including the Green, Populist, and Libertarian parties.

So there’s a Democratic Senate candidate who has raised even less than Chuck Pennacchio?

  • The Repub grip on NV-2 might be breaking–I remember reading that every major newspaper in that area endorsed Kerry over Shrub. And Washoe County (Reno), far and away the biggest county in that region, was blue for much of Election Night. Had it gone for Kerry in the end, Kerry would have won Nevada and would probably be president now.

  • I know Jill Derby and I live in her district. She is a quality candidate. She has my vote. And, sadly, she doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. Which makes her willingness to wholeheartedly run even more noble, in my eyes.

  • Looks like an investment in Joementum is the political equivalent of having bought Intel in 1978 at $6….

    And I’ll take any bets offered today that Zeese costs the Dems Sarbanes’ seat in November. This is exactly the scenario that produced the first election of Senator Susan (Susie Creamcheese) Collins, R-ME and MBNA.

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