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
* Republican billionaire Tom Golisano announced yesterday that he will not run<\/a> for governor in New York this year, despite pleas from several party leaders. Golisano’s decision boosts former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld’s chances of getting the party’s nomination.<\/p>\n * New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D), who has generated some unwelcome headlines<\/a> of late, will apparently face a very tough re-election challenge<\/a> from Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D). While Landrieu is expected to publicly announce his candidacy in a written statement this week, a source said a formal declaration with a kickoff event and a campaign speech likely won’t come until after the Legislature’s special session set for Feb. 6-17. The mayoral primary has been scheduled for April 22, with a runoff, if needed, on May 20.<\/p>\n * Dems in Colorado hoping for another top-tier gubernatorial candidate may soon get their wish. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) said yesterday he’s “pretty close to done<\/a>” in weighing a potential candidacy. If Hickenlooper does run, he’ll likely face Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter and state Rep. Gary Lindstrom in a Dem primary. The top GOP candidates are Marc Holtzman and Rep. Bob Beauprez.<\/p>\n * Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly (D), the frontrunner for the Dems’ gubernatorial nomination, has tapped state Rep. Marie St. Fleur to be his running mate<\/a> in this year’s race. St. Fleur, from Boston, is the state’s first Haitian-born lawmaker.<\/p>\n