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:
* Whether former Connecticut Gov. Lowell Weicker (I) challenges Sen. Joe Lieberman next year seems to be a matter of interpretation. The New York Times suggests Weicker is interested, but the AP reports, without a specific quote, that Weicker won’t run. In 1988, then-state Attorney General Lieberman beat Weicker following three terms in the Senate as a Republican. Weicker than left the GOP, became an independent, and was elected governor. If he runs, Weicker would likely pose a serious challenge to Lieberman.
* New Jersey Gov.-elect Jon Corzine (D) met with Rep. Robert Menendez (D) yesterday, presumably to discuss filling Corzine’s now-vacant Senate seat. The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Corzine is “leaning very heavily” towards tapping Menendez for the seat and the decision could come this afternoon.
* In Indiana, six-term incumbent Rep. John Hostettler (R), one of the Dems’ top ’06 targets, appears to be in jeopardy. A new poll of district voters shows Hostettler trailing Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth, 44% to 41%. The pollster noted that without the “leaners,” Hostettler garners only 34% support.
* According to the New York Daily News, Jeanine Pirro (R) is planning to drop out of the Senate race against Hillary Clinton, but may find it difficult to switch to the state attorney general’s race. Chauncey Parker, a former Manhattan prosecutor who is the state’s criminal justice czar, has impressed GOP leaders during his campaign for state attorney general and Pirro may end up a candidate without a race.
* Houston lawyer Barbara Ann Radnofsky (D) formally kicked off her Senate campaign in Texas yesterday, striking an optimistic tone despite taking on incumbent Kay Bailey Hutchison (R). “I’m not a fool and I don’t pursue things in a foolhardy manner,” Radnofsky said. “This can be done. All it takes is real hard work, intelligent analysis and going to talk to people. It is quite doable.”
* To the dismay of party leaders who’d like to see Sherrod Brown and Paul Hackett get elected to Congress next year, Hackett announced yesterday that he will not drop his Senate campaign to run for the House seat he nearly won earlier this year. Asked if he might try to take advantage of Jean Schmidt’s falling popularity, Hackett said, “Not gonna do it. I’m here. The first time I’m out, if I’m out, is May 3, the day after the primary.”