Monday, June 14, 2010

Daily Rundown: 6/14/10

IL-Sen: Conservative businessman Mike Niecestro is reportedly mulling an independent run for the state's open Senate seat. Said Niecestro: "There is no difference between Mark Kirk (R) and Alexi Giannoulias (D)." He added: "I am a disgusted Republican who has had it with the people the party throws at us." He said that he would be willing to throw in $1 million out of his own pocket to boost his chances. Conventional wisdom is that if Niecestro joins the race, it could be a big boon to Giannoulias as he could siphon votes away on Kirk's right flank.

KY-Sen: The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that Rand Paul (R) is not a board-certified ophthalmologist like he claims to be, and that he hasn't been for the past five years. Asked when he would comment on the issue, Paul responded: "Uh, you know, never... What does this have to do with our election?"

SC-Sen: Charleston City Councilman Vic Rawl (D), the Democrat that was defeated by political unknown Alvin Greene (D) in Tuesday's primary, is calling for a formal investigation of the election results. He claims that investigation is not targeted against Greene, but rather against the touch-screen voting machines. White House adviser David Axelrod also weighed in on the situation, saying the result "doesn't appear" legitimate.

AL-Gov: As state Rep. Robert Bentley (R) pivots toward the July 13 runoff against former college chancellor Bradley Byrne (R), he has started to shake up his staff and bring in former aides to Mike Huckabee (R). He hired Bryan Sanders, a top aide to Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign, as his new campaign manager, among others.

FL-Gov: Mitt Romney will endorse and fundraise for Attorney General Bill McCollum (R) in his primary battle against self-funding former health care executive Rick Scott (R). Meanwhile, Scott has challenged McCollum to a series of four televised debates ahead of the August 24 primary.

MI-Gov: A new Rasmussen poll finds all three of the top GOP contenders (Rep. Pete Hoekstra, Attorney Gen. Mike Cox, and businessman Rick Snyder) leading both Democratic candidates (State House Speaker Andy Dillon and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero). Snyder still appears to be the strongest general election candidate for the GOP. Meanwhile, Cox picked up the endorsement of the anti-abortion group "Right to Life Michigan."

OH-Gov: Here's some good news for Gov. Ted Strickland (D). The NRA is endorsing him over former Rep. John Kasich (R) in his reelection bid.

SC-Gov: A new Rasmussen poll shows state Rep. Nikki Haley (R) outperforming her runoff rival, Rep. Gresham Barrett (R), in general election match-ups with state Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D). The poll finds Haley leading Sheheen by 21 points, while Barrett only leads by 8 points. Meanwhile, despite early whispers of her being whisked to the national stage, Haley is promising to serve a full term if elected.

AL-02
: Businessman Rick Barber (R), the Tea Party favorite in the Alabama 2nd district runoff, is up with an...interesting new ad called "Gather Your Armies". You just have to see it for yourself. Barber will face Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby (R), the establishment favorite, in the July 13 runoff.

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