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:<\/p>\n
* Despite talk that Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) would be a top GOP target next year, it appears no one wants to run against her. The latest to bow out of consideration is former Gov. Fife Symington<\/a> (R), who had earlier expressed interest in the race. State Republicans continue to believe Marilyn Quayle, wife of former Vice President Dan Quayle, might be a viable candidate.<\/p>\n * While few top-tier Republicans have expressed interest in taking on Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), it appears at least one Dem<\/em> is thinking about it<\/a>. State Attorney Geoffrey Fieger (D) said he “would prefer” not to challenge Granholm in a primary fight, he said he might if he’s convinced she’d lose to a Republican in 2006.<\/p>\n * With Rep. Jim Gibbons (R) planning to leave the House to run for governor next year, the race is on to replace him. A new Strategic Solutions poll of Republican voters in the district shows Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller leading<\/a> former state Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons (Jim’s wife) in a district-wide poll of the likely primary match-up, 28% to 16%, with a whopping 43% undecided.<\/p>\n * Dems believe they’ve found the best candidate to take on freshman Rep. Charles Boustany (R) in Louisiana: former Rep. Chris John<\/a> (D), who gave up the seat to run for the Senate last year. “The [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] wants me to run,” John said. “They have called me [about] a hundred times.”<\/p>\n * Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) represents an increasingly competitive district (Bush beat Kerry in the district by just one point), but generally wins by wide margins. Lawyer Andrew Hurst hopes to change that<\/a> next year. It will be Hurst’s first run for public office, though he did work on the national finance committee for John Kerry’s presidential campaign.<\/p>\n