Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that won’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* You know how presidential candidates sometimes air half-hour ads shortly before Election Day? In Virginia, gubernatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli (R) has his own 30-minute ad that his campaign says “will air on television over the coming weeks.” The press release did not specify which networks or local channels intend to air the half-hour-long speech.
* Speaking of Virginia’s airwaves, a conservative super PAC called the Virginia Principles Fund made a $300,000 television ad buy to attack Terry McAuliffe for, among other things, supporting reproductive rights.
* In a big surprise, North Carolina state Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) announced this morning that he will not take on U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) next year. It’s not clear what changed — Berger had already bought television airtime to attack the incumbent.
* In Florida, former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink (D), who nearly defeated Gov. Rick Scott (R) in 2010, has decided not to seek a re-match. Sink’s decision boosts former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist’s chances of winning the Democratic nod.
* In West Virginia, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D) is already on the offensive in her U.S. Senate race against Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R), hoping to take advantage of Congress’ deep unpopularity by reminding the public that the congresswoman is a seven-term lawmaker. * Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced over the weekend that he will run for re-election in 2016. If he succeeds, Grassely will be 83 years old at the start of his next term. * And though there were rumors to the contrary, it looks like Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) will seek another term — he’s increasing his fundraising efforts, which is usually a pretty big clue.
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