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
* Comedian Al Franken is following through on earlier promises and moving back to Minnesota<\/a>, probably to take on Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) in 2008. As part of the shift, Franken will move his radio show on Air America to Minnesota as well.<\/p>\n * Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey (R) was considering a congressional campaign next year, but will instead focus<\/a> on either keeping her job or running for governor if Mitt Romney decides not to seek re-election. Healey’s decision may have been influenced by rumors that Romney will bypass the race, or maybe it was the polling data showing her losing if she ran for Congress.<\/p>\n * In an exceedingly rare example of someone creating an exploratory committee but then deciding not to run for the office, State Rep. Steve Wieckert (R-Wis.) has dropped out<\/a> of the race for Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th district. The seat is being left vacant by Rep. Mark Green, who’s running for governor. With Wieckert out, attention turns to Assembly Speaker John Gard of Peshtigo and state Rep. Terri McCormick of Appleton.<\/p>\n * The ongoing shuffling among Republicans gearing up to take on freshman Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) has a new contestant: businesswoman Teresa Bartels<\/a> (R), who was in DC this week to generate support for her campaign among party officials. Bartels has never sought public office and will likely face a tough primary against investment banker David McSweeney (R), State Rep. Bob Churchill (R), and trial lawyer Al Salvi (R).<\/p>\n * This week, State Del. Neil Quinter (D) became the first candidate to officially enter the race<\/a> to succeed Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D), who is running for Senate.<\/p>\n * Aides to Rep. Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) said this week that the congressman will announce<\/a> his candidacy for the 2006 Republican gubernatorial nomination on June 1.<\/p>\n