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
* Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.) is the House member most likely to be in jail before the next election, but the besieged lawmaker said yesterday that he “absolutely<\/a>” plans to seek a ninth term. Francine Busby’s campaign team<\/a> has every reason to be pleased.<\/p>\n * As if the field of Dems running for governor in Iowa wasn’t big enough, former congressman and state economic development Director Mike Blouin will announce<\/a> his intention to run today. Blouin will be the fifth Dem to join the race, with two more also weighing bids. With so many candidates, it’s likely that none of the candidates will reach the 35% threshold needed to avoid a nominating convention. With this in mind, state party officials are already making plans for such a convention next summer. The Republican side of the equation is more clear: U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle will take on business consultant Bob Vander Plaats.<\/p>\n * Though the race to succeed Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) is a little crowded with Republican candidates, State Sen. Peter Roskam (R) is positioning himself as the frontrunner, thanks to strong early fundraising<\/a>. Roskam took in nearly $400,000 in his first quarter of 2005, putting him far ahead of State Sen. Carole Pankau (R).<\/p>\n * Already trailing in the polls, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields’ mayoral campaign has suffered another setback with the revelation that her staff doctored a photograph<\/a> on one of its fliers to make it appear the mayoral hopeful was accompanied by Asian and black supporters.<\/p>\n