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:
* Republican billionaire Tom Golisano announced yesterday that he will not run for governor in New York this year, despite pleas from several party leaders. Golisano’s decision boosts former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld’s chances of getting the party’s nomination.
* New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D), who has generated some unwelcome headlines of late, will apparently face a very tough re-election challenge from Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D). While Landrieu is expected to publicly announce his candidacy in a written statement this week, a source said a formal declaration with a kickoff event and a campaign speech likely won’t come until after the Legislature’s special session set for Feb. 6-17. The mayoral primary has been scheduled for April 22, with a runoff, if needed, on May 20.
* Dems in Colorado hoping for another top-tier gubernatorial candidate may soon get their wish. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) said yesterday he’s “pretty close to done” in weighing a potential candidacy. If Hickenlooper does run, he’ll likely face Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter and state Rep. Gary Lindstrom in a Dem primary. The top GOP candidates are Marc Holtzman and Rep. Bob Beauprez.
* Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly (D), the frontrunner for the Dems’ gubernatorial nomination, has tapped state Rep. Marie St. Fleur to be his running mate in this year’s race. St. Fleur, from Boston, is the state’s first Haitian-born lawmaker.
* And in 2008 news, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledged last week that he’s considering running for president, and told a C-SPAN audience that he’d throw his hat into the ring if enough people go to his website and email him.