Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* At least for now, the Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity is withholding its support from Rep. Kevin Cramer’s (R) Senate campaign in North Dakota, concluding that he’s not “leading on the issues where this country needs leadership the most right now.” The wording leaves open the door for a change in direction later.
* A new Emerson poll in Wisconsin points to trouble for Gov. Scott Walker (R) as he seeks a third term: he trails likely Democratic nominee Tony Evers by seven points, 48% to 41%.
* The same poll found incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) with sizable leads over both state Sen. Leah Vukmir (R) and businessman Kevin Nicholson (R) in hypothetical match-ups.
* In Florida’s U.S. Senate race, a new Mason-Dixon poll shows Gov. Rick Scott (R) with a modest lead over incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D), 47% to 44%.
* The Pew Research Center published an interesting report the other day, noting that voter turnout in primaries is up so far this year, especially in Democratic races. * In New York, a new Siena College poll found Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) holding onto a two-to-one advantage over his primary rival, Cynthia Nixon (D), 60% to 29%. The primary, however, isn’t until September. * And in a bit of a surprise, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey (D) threw her support behind Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley, who is taking on incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano in a Democratic primary this year in the state’s 7th congressional district. Primary Day in the Bay State is Sept. 4.
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
