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 Ohio, Rep. [tag]Ted Strickland[\/tag] (D) appears to be well-positioned to beat far-right Ohio Secretary of State [tag]Ken Blackwell[\/tag] (R) in this year’s gubernatorial race. But just to make things a little easier for the GOP, a Nader-like Green Party candidate has qualified for the ballot. Professor and election-reform activist [tag]Bob Fitrakis[\/tag] announced this morning that his petition signatures have been certified, making it a three-way race. And who certified the petitions? Blackwell, who kind of has a motivation to make sure Fitrakis helps pull some of Strickland’s votes away.<\/p>\n
* In Massachusetts, [tag]Deval Patrick[\/tag] (D) has some serious momentum in the Dems’ gubernatorial primary and, according to a new Suffolk University poll<\/a>, has taken the lead in the race. Though state Attorney General [tag]Tom Reilly[\/tag] (D) has led for months, the new poll shows Patrick ahead, 31% to 25%. Businessman [tag]Chris Gabrieli[\/tag] isn’t far behind with 22%.<\/p>\n * Sen. [tag]Robert Byrd[\/tag] (D-W.Va.) enjoys a sizable lead over businessman [tag]John Raese[\/tag] (R) in a new State Journal poll<\/a>, 59% to 30%. Byrd’s approval rating stands at 71% (via Taegan Goddard<\/a>).<\/p>\n * Kathleen Troia “KT” [tag]McFarland[\/tag]’s (R) Senate campaign against [tag]Hillary Clinton[\/tag] is not only struggling to garner public support, it’s also very short on cash<\/a>. McFarland announced yesterday that she is lending herself $100,000. Without it, advisor Ed Rollins said, there would not be enough money for television advertising before the Sept. 12 GOP primary.<\/p>\n