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
* A sweeping scandal surrounding Ralph Reed and his ties to Jack Abramoff is already undermining Reed’s campaign to become Georgia’s lieutenant governor, but if he wins the GOP primary, there’s another challenge looming ahead: a top-tier Dem opponent. State Dems are actively wooing<\/a> former Sen. Max Cleland (D) to jump into the race and stop Reed (via Taegan Goddard<\/a>).<\/p>\n * Now that Dino Rossi has made it clear he’s not running for the Senate, Safeco Corp. CEO Mike McGavick (R) will announce today that he will challenge<\/a> incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) next year. McGavick announced yesterday he is resigning as chief executive officer of the Seattle-based insurer and will hold a press conference this afternoon about his Senate plans.<\/p>\n * Perrenial target Rep. Chris Shays (R) will face Westport First Selectwoman Dianne Farrell (D) again next year, creating a rematch<\/a> of one of Congress’ closest elections last year. “The issues are virtually the same today as they were in 2004 — but the problems have gotten worse,” Farrell said. Last November, Farrell came within 15,000 votes of knocking off the nine-term incumbent. <\/p>\n * Former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler filed papers with the Federal Election Commission yesterday, clearing the way for his congressional campaign<\/a> next year. Shuler, a Democrat, will take on Rep. Charles Taylor (R) in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.<\/p>\n