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 saying he would “absolutely” seek re-election, Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.) announced yesterday that he will step down<\/a> next year as the FBI continues to investigate the lawmaker’s ties to a defense contractor whose company earned millions in government military contracts. “Regardless of what my critics say, I did nothing wrong,” Cunningham said. His “retirement” may make it more difficult for a Dem to win the seat in this GOP-leaning district.<\/p>\n * New York Gov. George Pataki (R) will campaign in Iowa<\/a> this weekend as part of “an exploration” of whether he should run for president in 2008. Considering Pataki’s relative moderation on abortion, gays, and guns, few think his message will be well received. Nevertheless, Pataki sources indicate that the trip increases the chances that he will not for a fourth term in New York as he shifts his attention to the national stage. <\/p>\n * Speaking of the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (R) will be campaigning in South Carolina<\/a> this weekend for a half-dozen events, including a state Republican fundraiser. He’ll also meet with a group of pastors in Charleston and give an interview on radio. This follows recent Brownback trips to Iowa and New Hampshire.<\/p>\n * In Virginia’s gubernatorial election, a new Rasmussen poll shows former state Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) continuing to lead Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D), 47% to 41%<\/a>. The six-point margin is about where this race has been for a while. Virginia is one of two states with gubernatorial elections this year (the other is New Jersey).<\/p>\n * Former New York City Councilman Thomas Ognibene (R) intends to challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) in a GOP primary this year, and claims to finally have enough petition signatures to get on the ballot<\/a>. Ognibene is, however, barely meeting the necessary threshold, and in a city where such petitions are routinely challenged, his spot on the ballot is still considered precarious.<\/p>\n