Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* Early voting is now underway in Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court race, in which progressive Susan Crawford is facing off against conservative Brad Schimel. Election Day is April 1.
* On a related note, a group funded by Elon Musk is running commercials that The Associated Press described as “deceptive attack ads” designed to help Schimel.
* And speaking of the billionaire GOP megadonor, the super PAC founded by Musk is reportedly offering $100 to registered voters in Wisconsin who sign a petition “in opposition to activist judges” or refer others to sign it.
* Donald Trump’s political operation, meanwhile, launched a fundraising campaign this week touting the president’s support for impeaching a federal judge.
* In New Jersey’s gubernatorial race — one of only two such contests that will be held this year — former state lawmaker Jack Ciattarelli this week began airing the contest’s first GOP ad, presenting himself as a Trump ally, despite the fact that Ciattarelli has not always been a fan of the incumbent president. The Garden State’s gubernatorial primaries will be held on June 10.
* Republican Rep. John W. Rose of Tennessee launched a gubernatorial campaign this week, setting up a possible GOP primary race against Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who’s also expected to throw her hat into the ring.
* While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn’t faced much in the way of public pushback from his own members, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado went further than most at a town hall this week. “In dodging your question, let me just say it’s important for people to know when it’s time to go,” Bennet said in response to a question about the New York Democrat.
* Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho hasn’t officially launched a re-election campaign, he isn’t set to face voters again for another 18 months, and it’s unlikely the 81-year-old incumbent would face a primary challenger. Trump nevertheless published an enthusiastic Risch endorsement this week for reasons that I do not know.
