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:
* A new statewide poll in Florida show Sen. Bill Nelson (D) with modest re-election support, but enough to hold considerable leads over his likely challengers. A Quinnipiac poll out today shows Nelson leading Rep. Katherine Harris (R) 50-38, state House Speaker Allan Bense (R) 55-26, and Senate President Tom Lee (R) 53-30.
* Speaking of Florida’s Senate race, supporters of Katherine Harris are livid that GOP leaders are urging Allan Bense to run against Harris in a Republican primary. “It’s unimaginable that the White House folks and the National Republican Senatorial Committee would be so disloyal to Katherine Harris, especially after all she has done for the Bush family and the Republican Party,” a Florida political operative who supports Harris said. “It’s unconscionable and a stab in the back.” (It’s a good point. Harris helped Bush steal a presidential election; this is the thanks she gets?)
* Former FBI whistle-blower Coleen Rowley confirmed yesterday that she will take on Rep. John Kline (R) in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District next year. A former Time magazine Persons of the Year, Rowley will face a tough challenge running as a Dem in a conservative district. What’s more, Rowley will likely have to face Teresa Daly, who lost to Kline last year by 16 points, in a Dem primary.
* Virginia Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D), trailing narrowly in this year’s gubernatorial campaign, is getting more aggressive in his efforts against former state Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R). Using some of his harshest language yet, Kaine delivered a blistering speech against Kilgore yesterday, focusing on Kilgore’s reluctance to debate, his opposition to legal protections for the disabled, and his role in helping a wealthy campaign donor with a highway project.
* With just over four months left in the New York mayor campaign, incumbent Michael Bloomberg (R) finds his support growing. A just-released New York Times poll shows Bloomberg’s job-approval rating up to 50%, double where it was in July 2003, and a seven percentage point increase from February.
* In Alabama, a new coalition of far-right activists calling itself the Conservative Christians of Alabama is circulating a petition urging former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore to run for governor in 2006. Moore said he will make a decision by the fall.