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
* Embattled Rep. [tag]Bob Ney[\/tag] (R-Ohio), up to his ears in the Abramoff scandal and facing a likely indictment, announced this morning that he will not run<\/a> for re-election. Ney has asked state Sen. Joy Padgett (R-Ohio) to replace him, and she told reporters that she will seek the seat. Polls have shown Democrat Zack Space running strong against Ney.<\/p>\n * In New Jersey’s closely-watched Senate race, Sen. [tag]Bob Menendez[\/tag] (D) continues to lead state Senator [tag]Tom Kean[\/tag], Jr. (R) in the latest Rasmussen poll<\/a>, 44% to 38%.<\/p>\n * If Georgia Lt. Gov. [tag]Mark Taylor[\/tag] (D) got a post-primary bump, it’s hiding well. The latest Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Taylor trailing Gov. [tag]Sonny Perdue[\/tag] (R) 53% to 39%.<\/p>\n * Three new polls all show Gov. [tag]Ed Rendell[\/tag] (D) leading former football player [tag]Lynn Swann[\/tag] (R) by various margins. IssuesPA<\/a> shows Rendell up 35% to 27%; Rasmussen<\/a> shows him leading 50% to 40%; and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion<\/a> has Rendell ahead 51% to 35%.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Pennsylvania, the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion poll shows the Senate race between [tag]Rick Santorum[\/tag] (R) and [tag]Bob Casey[\/tag] (D) tightening. Instead of the double-digit lead to which Casey had no doubt grown accustomed, the new poll shows Casey up by six<\/a>, 45% to 39%. An outlier?<\/p>\n