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 seven weeks until Election Day, New Jersey’s gubernatorial race appears to be getting less competitive, not more. A new Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Jon Corzine (D) increasing his lead over Doug Forrester (R), now ahead 47% to 36%.
* Despite a massive political scandal tied around his administration, Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) said yesterday that he still plans to seek re-election in 2007. The announcement comes just days after the state Republican Party ignored Fletcher’s demand to replace the state party chairman.
* In Maryland, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley (D) has reportedly told supporters that he will formally announce his gubernatorial campaign next week. O’Malley, who has been unofficially running for months, discussed his plans for a Sept. 28 kick-off event during a conference call with 100 supporters last night.
* Tom Golisano, a billionaire in upstate New York, has already lost three separate races as an independent candidate for governor. Now, thanks to urging from party leaders like John McCain, Golisano is considering a fourth bid, this time as a Republican.
* With Rep. Jim Nussle (R) leaving his seat to run for governor in Iowa, the race is on to replace him in this left-leaning district. Among the first candidates to make his intentions clear is Davenport attorney Bruce Braley (D), who announced his candidacy last week, emphasizing his desire to reduce poverty and improve education and childhood health.
* And in Alaska, State Rep. Eric Croft (D) last week became the second Dem to file for the state’s gubernatorial race, joining state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz (D). Anxious Republicans have been waiting for word from incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski (R), who has not yet said whether he’ll seek a second term.