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:
* With Americans for Responsible Solutions already airing an ad in New Hampshire targeting Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) over her recent opposition to gun reforms, the National Rifle Association hopes to bolster its ally, running this spot this week. Note how misleading the claim is at the start of the spot: “Kelly Ayotte voted for a bipartisan plan to make background checks more effective.” She actually helped filibuster Toomey/Manchin.
* Though two recent polls showed Rep. Edward Markey (D) with a modest, single-digit lead over Gabriel Gomez (R) in Massachusetts’ Senate special election, a new Suffolk University poll shows the Democrat up by 17 points, 52% to 35%. Note: polling special elections is notoriously difficult, in part because turnout is so unpredictable.
* Speaking of Massachusetts, Gomez woke this morning to a brutal Boston Globe report on a $281,500 income tax deduction he claimed, pledging not to make any visible changes to the facade of his 112-year-old home, despite the fact that he was already prohibited from making any changes under the bylaws of the local Historical Commission. The IRS has described this and related programs as “tax scams.”
* In advance of a likely gubernatorial bid next year, Charlie Crist has announced his support for marriage equality. Crist, a former Republican governor, is now a Democrat rumored to be interested in challenging Gov. Rick Scott (R) next year. * In Michigan, former Rep. Mark Schauer (D) is considered such a strong gubernatorial contender, the Democrats already running said they would step aside if Schauer enters the race. * And in South Carolina, to the surprise of many, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) has managed to avoid a primary challenger, and despite opposition from the far-right, now appears to be a safe bet for re-election.
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