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
* In a hard-fought, multi-candidate primary in Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, Jean Schmidt, who lost an Ohio Senate primary last year, staged a big comeback<\/a> to win the GOP nod. Hamilton County commissioner Pat DeWine (R), son of Sen. Mike DeWine, was the presumptive favorite a month ago, but he ultimately came in fourth. Former congressman Bob McEwen (R), a religious right favorite, came in a close second. In the Dem primary, Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett won his primary rather easily. The special election is in six weeks.<\/p>\n * Speaking of primaries, former Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) easily won<\/a> the GOP nod in his state’s gubernatorial primary yesterday, brushing aside Warrenton Mayor George Fitch (R). Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) ran unopposed in the Dem primary.<\/p>\n * And speaking of Virginia, a number of GOP state lawmakers who worked to reach a bi-partisan compromise on state taxes last year had to overcome primary opponents backed by far-right activists. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of the moderates won statewide<\/a> yesterday.<\/p>\n * In New Jersey, yet another poll shows Jon Corzine (D) leading businessman Doug Forrester (R) in the state’s gubernatorial race. A Quinnipiac University poll released today shows Corzine up, 47% to 37%<\/a>, among registered voters.<\/p>\n * Speaking of polls, a new Siena College poll<\/a> offers Dems good news in New York. State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer continues to enjoy big leads in gubernatorial match-ups, leading Gov. George Pataki 50% to 37%, and Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro 54% to 21%. Similarly, Sen. Hillary Clinton looks strong in her re-election efforts, leading Pirro 59% to 29%, and ahead of lawyer Ed Cox 58% to 28%.<\/p>\n * As expected, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) will announce<\/a> the formation of an exploratory committee today, marking his first step in running for Maryland’s open Senate seat. If Steele runs, he’ll be the presumptive GOP nominee and will enjoy broad support from the national party.<\/p>\n * I’ve been noting for months that Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe (D) is running for governor, but yesterday, Beebe made it official<\/a>. State party leaders said he will probably not face a primary challenge.<\/p>\n