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:
* Arkansas Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller (R) announced yesterday he is abandoning his gubernatorial campaign because of a life-threatening blood disorder which could develop into leukemia. Rockefeller was campaigning in a GOP primary against former U.S. Rep. and Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson for the 2006 race.
* With just two weeks remaining before a much-watched special election in Ohio’s 2nd congressional district, Dems nationwide are rallying to support Paul Hackett (D) in this GOP-leaning area. Hackett, an Iraq war veteran, hosted an event in Cincinnati yesterday, joined by strategist James Carville and former Sen. Max Cleland. Hackett is the first Dem in recent memory to even run ads in Ohio’s 2nd.
* Though Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl (R) is considered vulnerable next year, state Dems have been hesitant about challenging him. That may be about to change. Shopping mall developer Jim Pederson resigned as the state’s Dem party chairman yesterday, which is considered the first step in Pederson’s Senate campaign. Pederson remained coy about his plans, saying he’ll decide by mid-September.
* For reasons that don’t make any sense, Utah state Rep. Steve Urquhart (R) is still mulling a primary challenge to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Urquhart is currently the Utah House majority whip, a leadership position that puts him in line to perhaps run for speaker, but he continues to suggest Hatch just isn’t right-wing enough for his tastes. Urquhart will decide officially this week whether to give up his seat to take on Hatch.
* Despite rumors to the contrary, former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said this week he’s not planning a rematch against Republican Sen. John Thune in 2010.
* Kevin Zeese, the campaign spokesperson for Ralph Nader’s recent presidential campaign, said yesterday that he’s considering a run for Senate in Maryland next year. State Dems are worried — with Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) running a very well-funded campaign, Dems can’t afford to have Zeese try and split the left.