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 Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, Rep. [tag]Jim Davis[\/tag] has picked up considerable institutional support, but state Sen. [tag]Rod Smith[\/tag] seems to have gained momentum in recent weeks. A new poll<\/a> commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows the race almost tied, with Davis leading by just one point, 22.5% to 21.5%, among “high frequency” Democratic primary voters. The Chamber also released a poll of Republicans this week, showing [tag]Charlie Crist[\/tag] with a big lead over [tag]Tom Gallagher[\/tag].<\/p>\n * The Texas Democratic Party won a temporary restraining order<\/a> yesterday, preventing Republicans in the state’s 22nd congressional district from picking [tag]Tom DeLay[\/tag]’s replacement for the November ballot. State Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie said Democrats are trying to keep the GOP from creating a “sham vacancy” for the Republican nomination, noting that DeLay is making a bizarre residency claim to avoid running after winning a local primary.<\/p>\n * A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows former Denver District Attorney [tag]Bill Ritter[\/tag] (D) leading Rep. [tag]Bob Beauprez[\/tag] (R) in Colorado’s gubernatorial race, 43% to 38%. That’s a significant turnaround for Ritter since a Rasmussen poll in April, which showed Beauprez ahead, 39% to 37%. Overall, Ritter enjoys a 55-29 favorable rating, while Beauprez scored 45-40.<\/p>\n