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 a setback for DSCC recruiting, Las Vegas Mayor [tag]Oscar Goodman[\/tag] (D) announced yesterday that he will not run<\/a> against incumbent Sen. [tag]John Ensign[\/tag] (R-Nev.) this year, despite pressure from leading Dems. “I love Las Vegas, I love being mayor of Las Vegas,” Goodman said in an interview Wednesday with the Review-Journal. “I have a lot on my plate, I want to see it come to fruition, and I can only do that at home.” The decision leaves [tag]Jack Carter[\/tag], an investment consultant in Las Vegas and the son of the former president, as the sole Democratic candidate.<\/p>\n * A new Quinnipiac poll<\/a> in Florida shows Sen. [tag]Bill Nelson[\/tag] (D) with a huge lead over Rep. [tag]Katherine Harris[\/tag] (R), 56% to 27%. His 29-point lead is seven points bigger than it was in last month’s Quinnipiac poll. Among Florida’s independent voters, Nelson leads, 57% to 17%.<\/p>\n * Sen. Linc Chafee’s (R-R.I.) re-election bid got a bit of a boost yesterday when the senator picked up an endorsement from the Sierra Club<\/a> for both the primary and general elections. “We pledge to do all we can to help ensure Senator [tag]Chafee[\/tag] is reelected,” said Alison Buckser, chapter chair of the Rhode Island Sierra Club. “Sierra Club volunteers will work with the campaign to contact voters about his exemplary environmental record.” Kos seems rather displeased<\/a> about the announcement.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Chafee, the Washington Times’ reported<\/a> today that Chafee is “the only senator running for re-election who is raising less money than his primary opponent and both Democrats running to replace him, according to Federal Election Commission filings.”<\/p>\n