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 Pennsylvania, Gov. [tag]Ed Rendell[\/tag] (D), who appeared increasingly vulnerable a couple of months ago after former football player [tag]Lynn Swann[\/tag] (R) secured the GOP nomination, looks significantly stronger now. A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Rendell leading 52% to 34%. In April, Rasmussen showed Swann ahead by three<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Rep. [tag]Ted Strickland[\/tag] (D) continues to look strong in Ohio’s open gubernatorial race against Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth [tag]Blackwell[\/tag] (R). A University of Cincinnati poll<\/a> shows Strickland leading, 50% to 44%.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Ohio, that same University of Cincinnati poll<\/a> shows incumbent Sen. [tag]Mike DeWine[\/tag] (R) leading Rep. [tag]Sherrod Brown[\/tag] (D), 52% to 42%. This conflicts with other recent polls<\/a> showing Brown effectively tied with DeWine.<\/p>\n * Though there had been some speculation to the contrary, Alaska Gov. [tag]Frank Murkowski[\/tag] (R) has reportedly decided<\/a> to seek a second term.<\/p>\n * There has never been a Muslim member of Congress, but that may change<\/a> this year. [tag]Keith Ellison[\/tag], a two-term state representative in Minnesota, is considered a leading candidate to replace retiring Rep. Martin Sabo (D-Minn.) in one of the safest “blue” districts in the country. Ellison, who converted to Islam when he was 19 years old at Wayne State University in Detroit, will face two Dems in a September primary. If elected, he would also be the first African-American congressman from Minnesota.<\/p>\n