Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* A Fox News poll released yesterday found Democrats leading Republicans on the congressional generic ballot, 48% to 39%. The Dems’ nine-point advantage is up from a five-point lead in the same poll in March.
* In Michigan, a state appeals court ruled yesterday that voters should be able to decide on whether to create “an independent commission to draw political boundaries instead of politicians.” At least for now, the idea is slated to be on Michigan’s statewide ballot this November.
* Texas’ U.S. Senate race appears to have already turned in an ugly direction: Sen. Ted Cruz (R) yesterday went after Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D) mother, pointing to a controversy involving Melissa O’Rourke and fines imposed on her former furniture store over unpaid taxes.
* Despite several failed campaigns over the last decade, former Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii) is launching another comeback bid, announcing this week that he’s running in Hawaii’s open U.S. House race. The 1st district is currently represented by Colleen Hanabusa (D), who’s giving up her seat to run for governor. * In Virginia, the latest poll from Roanoke College shows incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine (D) with double-digit leads over each of his would-be Republican rivals. Virginia Republicans will vote in a primary next week on Kaine’s challenger. * And when looking at competitive House seats that may flip this year, keep an eye on Utah’s 4th: a new poll from Utahpolicy.com found two-term incumbent Rep. Mia Love (R) with a modest lead over Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams (D) 47% to 43%.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
