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 one of the handful of undecided House races, Rep. Deborah Pryce (R) was named the winner<\/a> in Ohio’s 15th congressional district yesterday after provisional ballots were included in the overall total. However, Pryce ended up with a 1,054-vote lead over Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy, which was small enough to spark an automatic recount. The final results should be available by Dec. 8.<\/p>\n * The conventional wisdom in Virginia is that Sen. John Warner (R) is, at a minimum, considering retirement at the end of his fifth term in 2008, but the senator is apparently edging closer<\/a> to seeking re-election. At last night’s Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce annual dinner said his “experience working with the CIA and the armed services” might be needed in the coming years. “I’m going to think about what my future holds and about whether to try and run again,” Warner said.<\/p>\n * Speaking of possible retirements, rumor has it that Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) is also mulling retirement<\/a> in 2008. Adding to the speculation is that Allard, who would be considered a top Dem target, has only raised $119,000 in his campaign coffers, whereas incumbents often have at least 10 times that amount two years before an election. Moreover, Allard pledged to serve only two terms, and hasn’t said if he’ll stick to the pledge or not. Whether Allard runs or not, Rep. Mark Udall (D) has said he plans to run and will make a formal announcement sometime next year. Udall has $1.2 million in the bank.<\/p>\n * Outgoing Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.), who was defeated this year after a series of scandals and alleged ethics violations, is reportedly already plotting his comeback<\/a>. Pombo, who represented California’s generally-Republican 11th district, apparently believes Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney (D) will be vulnerable in 2008.<\/p>\n