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
* With just seven weeks until Election Day, New Jersey’s gubernatorial race appears to be getting less competitive, not more. A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Sen. Jon Corzine (D) increasing his lead over Doug Forrester (R), now ahead 47% to 36%.<\/p>\n * Despite a massive political scandal tied around his administration, Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) said yesterday that he still plans to seek re-election<\/a> in 2007. The announcement comes just days after the state Republican Party ignored Fletcher’s demand to replace the state party chairman.<\/p>\n * In Maryland, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley (D) has reportedly told supporters that he will formally announce<\/a> his gubernatorial campaign next week. O’Malley, who has been unofficially running for months, discussed his plans for a Sept. 28 kick-off event during a conference call with 100 supporters last night.<\/p>\n * Tom Golisano, a billionaire in upstate New York, has already lost three separate races as an independent candidate for governor. Now, thanks to urging from party leaders like John McCain, Golisano is considering a fourth bid, this time as a Republican<\/a>.<\/p>\n * With Rep. Jim Nussle (R) leaving his seat to run for governor in Iowa, the race is on to replace him in this left-leaning district. Among the first candidates to make his intentions clear is Davenport attorney Bruce Braley (D), who announced his candidacy<\/a> last week, emphasizing his desire to reduce poverty and improve education and childhood health.<\/p>\n