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 Georgia, the big news was [tag]Ralph Reed[\/tag]’s defeat<\/a>, but there were other key primary races decided yesterday. In the Dems’ gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. [tag]Mark Taylor[\/tag] (D) defeated<\/a> Georgia Secretary of State [tag]Cathy Cox[\/tag] (D), 51% to 45%. Cox immediately said she would back Taylor, telling supporters, “He can be assured of my support in the months to come,” she said. “Tonight a new season begins.”<\/p>\n * Also in Georgia, Rep. [tag]Cynthia McKinney[\/tag] (D), facing voters for the first time since her run-in with a Capitol Hill police officer a few months ago, came in first in a Dem primary, but didn’t do well enough<\/a> to avoid a run-off. McKinney will face her main challenger, [tag]Hank Johnson[\/tag], a former county commissioner, on Aug. 8. As of last night, she edged Johnson by fewer than 1,500 votes\/<\/p>\n * In Alabama, [tag]George Wallace[\/tag] Jr., the son of the former governor, lost a GOP primary<\/a> in his bid to become lieutenant governor. Wallace lost to newcomer [tag]Luther Strange[\/tag], 55% to 45%.<\/p>\n * Keeping with a Southern theme, former Chattanooga Mayor [tag]Bob Corker[\/tag]’s (R) campaign released a poll<\/a> yesterday showing Corker well ahead in Tennessee’s GOP Senate primary. The poll showed Corker leading with 46% support, followed by former Rep. [tag]Ed Bryant[\/tag] at 24%, and former Rep. [tag]Van Hilleary[\/tag] at 17%. As Roll Call noted, early voting for the Aug. 3 primary is already under way.<\/p>\n