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:
* Sen. Jon Corzine (D) continues to lead Doug Forrester in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, but by how much depends on which poll you read. A Fairleigh Dickinson poll has Corzine up 10 (48-38); Quinnipiac has Corzine up four (48-44); and Monmouth University/Gannett has Corzine up nine (43-34). The election is just six weeks away.
* Speaking of polls, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) continues to lead Fernando Ferrer (D) in the city’s mayoral race. A WNBC/Marist poll has Bloomberg up 53% to 38%.
* Since formally announcing his campaign last week, top Dems from across the country have rallied behind developer Jim Pederson (D) in his Senate race in Arizona against incumbent Sen. Jon Kyl (R). Among Pederson’s new backers is financier and philanthropist George Soros.
* Eighty-seven-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) announced yesterday that he will seek a record ninth term in the Senate. “Show me another 87-year-old man who’s got the energy that I’ve got, and I’ll eat your hat,” he said.
* American University history professor Allan Lichtman will formally launch his Senate campaign today in Maryland. He’s the fourth — and probably not the last — Dem to throw his hat into the ring, following Rep. Ben Cardin, former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, and Lise Van Susteren.