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:
* There was some good news and a whole lot of bad news for New York Gov. George Pataki (R) in a round of fresh polling data from the state. The “good” news: in a hypothetical match-up against state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Pataki now only trails by 14 points (48% to 34%). The bad news: the same poll shows Pataki’s job approval rating slipping to a stunning 34%, the lowest of his gubernatorial tenure and down seven points since last fall. Even worse news: though Republicans tend to fare better in upstate New York, data released yesterday showed Pataki trailing Spitzer upstate, 60% to 32%.
* The two major parties’ campaign committees worked furiously in the first quarter to fill campaign coffers, but as usual, Republicans were a little more successful at it. The DCCC raised $12.4 million in Q1, the best first quarter in committee history. The total helped the Dems clear about 60% of its debt. The NRCC, meanwhile, raised nearly $20 million and has no debt.
* Former Rep. Denise Majette (D-Ga.), whose career of late has been a bit of a roller coaster, is eyeing a return to Congress, possibly as soon as next year. Majette beat Rep. Cynthia McKinney in a party primary four years ago and was elected to the House. Two years later, she launched an unsuccessful Senate bid while McKinney won back her old seat. Now, in light of Georgia’s re-redistricting, Majette wants to run for the House again, but may have to choose between Georgia’s 4th District (McKinney’s seat) or 12th District (which is represented by Dem Rep. John Barrow).
* Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) finally has an opponent: The Rev. Keith Butler, who served one term on the Detroit city council and founded the 21,000-member Word of Faith International Christian Center Church, announced his bid yesterday.
* With Jon Corzine’s gubernatorial campaign going so well in New Jersey, the race is on to replace him in the Senate. The three most prominent names in the mix are Reps. Bob Menendez, Frank Pallone, and Rob Andrews. If elected governor this November, Corzine will be in the unenviable position of personally selecting his successor, so the three are working diligently to help Corzine win this year and stay in his good graces.
* After months of speculation that Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson would be a top Republican target next year, Roll Call reported today that high-level Republican strategists are “increasingly skeptical that he will be ousted.” Apparently, their pessimism has something to do with the fact that no one wants to run against him.
* Speaking of Nebraska, Gov. Dave Heineman (R), who assumed the post when Mike Johanns was tapped to be Bush’s Agriculture Secretary, intends to seek his own full term next year and created a campaign committee yesterday as part of the effort. This sets up a possible showdown with Rep. Tom Osborne (R), who has expressed interest in the race.
* In the Los Angeles mayoral race, Antonio Villaraigosa got a boost yesterday with an endorsement from retired basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
* And, finally, Newt Gingrich continues to spark discussion about a possible presidential bid. He’ll be in New Hampshire next week for a series of activities, followed by a two-day trip to Iowa next month. At this point several of his former House colleagues are convinced Gingrich will seek the GOP nomination in 2008.