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
* Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) seemed on track for a big win in November, with polls showing him with a big lead over Jack Carter (D), but Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman (D) could shake this race up<\/a> considerably. Goodman acknowledged this week that he’s discussed a Senate campaign with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid.<\/p>\n * Putting an end to rumors, former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) said this week that he will not run<\/a> for governor. The leading Republican candidate remains Rep. Bob Beauprez.<\/p>\n * As part of his continuing efforts to rally liberal support, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) will be in Vermont this weekend, campaigning alongside<\/a> Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the favorite to succeed Jim Jeffords in the Senate.<\/p>\n * Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) is still not prepared to say whether he’ll run for another term in November, telling reporters<\/a> yesterday, “I’m meditating very, very deeply here. I’ve got one more little stop I’ve got to make in Washington before I make that. I’ll be back in a few days.”<\/p>\n * Former Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas) may also run against Tom DeLay in November, but as an independent<\/a>. It would make it a three-way race with DeLay, former Rep. Nick Lampson (D), and Stockman. (This assumes DeLay is able to run for re-election.)<\/p>\n