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
* With former House Majority Leader [tag]Tom DeLay[\/tag] (R) stepping aside<\/a> for a write-in candidate in his Texas district, would-be successors are already starting to position themselves as DeLay’s heir. ABC News reports<\/a> that Sugarland Mayor [tag]David Wallace[\/tag], who wanted to replace DeLay on the ballot before the Texas GOP lost its court fights, is “extremely close” to announcing that he will be a write-in candidate. Houston City Councilwoman [tag]Shelley Sekula-Gibbs[\/tag] also expressed interest in the race.<\/p>\n * Speaking of disgraced House Republicans who won’t be back next year, Rep. [tag]Bob Ney[\/tag]’s (R) hand-picked replacement in his Ohio district, state Sen. [tag]Joy Padgett[\/tag] (R), may be ineligible<\/a>.<\/p>\n * In Michigan yesterday, Oakland County Sheriff [tag]Mike Bouchard[\/tag] easily beat<\/a> the Rev. [tag]Keith Butler[\/tag] in a GOP Senate primary, 60% to 40%. Bouchard will now take on incumbent Sen. [tag]Debbie Stabenow[\/tag] (D) in November, though recent polls show Stabenow with a comfortable lead.<\/p>\n * In Alabama, Gov. [tag]Bob Riley[\/tag] (R), once considered an endangered incumbent, now appears to be in a strong position for a second term. The latest Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Riley leading Lt. Gov. [tag]Lucy Baxley[\/tag] (D), 55% to 35%. The 20-point margin expands on the 14-point lead Riley enjoyed in last month’s Rasmussen poll.<\/p>\n * In non-Lieberman news out of Connecticut, New Haven Mayor [tag]John DeStefano[\/tag] narrowly defeated<\/a> Stamford Mayor [tag]Dan Malloy[\/tag] in yesterday’s Dem gubernatorial primary. DeStefano will now face incumbent Republican Gov. M. [tag]Jodi Rell[\/tag] in November, though recent polls show Rell in the driver’s seat.<\/p>\n