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 South Carolina, Governor Mark Sanford (R) appears to be well-positioned for re-election next year. A new Rasmussen poll shows Sanford with 20-point leads<\/a> over his most likely Dem challengers, Florence Mayor Frank Willis and State Senator Tommy Moore.<\/p>\n * In other gubernatorial news, Republicans in Nevada had reached out to Reno Mayor Bob Cashell (R) to run for governor, but Cashell announced yesterday<\/a> that he’ll run for a second term instead. Cashell was Gov. Kenny Guinn’s top choice, but Cashell said he didn’t have the “fire in the belly.” Nevada state Sen. Bob Beers (R) is the only announced Republican in the race.<\/p>\n * In New Jersey, the Rev. Robin Weinstein, a Dem and Baptist minister, said yesterday that he’s considering<\/a> a congressional run next year against Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R). Weinstein has already established an exploratory committee.<\/p>\n * California Dems were courting state Sen. Mike Machado to run against Rep. Richard Pombo (R) next year, but Machado has declined. Party leaders have now turned their attention towards Steve Filson<\/a>, a United Airlines pilot, who was in DC last week to meet with members of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the California delegation. It will be Filson’s first run for elective office.<\/p>\n