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
* As if Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) didn’t have enough to worry about with a possible Abramoff-related indictment looming, now he has a new problem: a primary challenger<\/a> back home. James Brodbelt Harris, a financial analyst, announced yesterday that he’s taking on Ney in a GOP primary. “I believe any good Republican could hold this Republican gerrymandered district and the only way a Democrat could win this district is in the midst of a scandal,” Harris said. The primary will be held on May 2.<\/p>\n * Rep. Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) announced yesterday that he will retire<\/a> this year after 10 terms in the House. Hefley is perhaps best known for chairing the House Ethics Committee during its multiple admonishments against Tom DeLay — and for losing his post after DeLay and his allies forced Hefley out. In the race to replace Hefley<\/a> in this conservative district, former El Paso County Sheriff John Anderson so far is the only declared Republican candidate for the seat. Democrat Jay Fawcett, who spent 20 years in the Air Force and is a Gulf War veteran, is also running.<\/p>\n * Speaking of retirements, Hefley’s announcement comes the same week as Rep. Bill Jenkins (R-Tenn) said he’s leaving Congress<\/a> as well. One day after Jenkins said he’s done, State Rep. David Davis (R) officially launched his campaign<\/a> to replace him in this very conservative Tennessee district.<\/p>\n * In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford (R) looks relatively strong going into this year’s re-election fight, according to the latest Rasmussen poll<\/a>. Sanford is ahead of State Senator Tommy Moore (D), 49% to 36%, and leads Florence Mayor Frank Willis (D), 52% to 33%.<\/p>\n