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:
* According to Politico, former Sen. Larry Pressler, running as an independent in his home state of South Dakota, "has only one paid staff member." If this is true, he may simply not have the kind of operation and campaign infrastructure needed to win.
* The latest statewide poll in Maine shows incumbent Gov. Paul LePage (R) actually in the lead, enjoying a five-point advantage over Rep. Mike Michaud (D), 39% to 34%. Independent Eliot Cutler, who has vowed not to drop out, is third in the poll with 20%.
* In Florida's gubernatorial race, the latest University of North Florida poll shows former Gov. Charlie Crist (D) leading incumbent Gov. Rick Scott (R), 47% to 42%. Most recent polling shows a tighter race, though Crist's position has clearly improved lately.
* Many Democrats running in 2014 are keeping President Obama are arm's length, but not all. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) is welcoming Obama to the campaign trail, appearing with the president at an event next week.
* Speaking of the president, Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), her party's U.S. Senate hopeful in Kentucky, was asked yesterday whether she voted for Obama in 2012. She dodged repeated questions on the issue.
* In North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) will now also have to contend with a new anti-abortion attack ad financed by a PAC affiliated with the Susan B. Anthony List. The right-wing group is investing $620,000 in the ad buy.
* First Lady Michelle Obama was in Illinois this week, campaigning in support of incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn (D). Though Quinn has been seen as a heavy underdog, recent polls show him closing the gap against Republican Bruce Rauner.
* And in Maryland's gubernatorial race, the latest Washington Post/University of Maryland poll shows Anthony Brown (D) leading Larry Hogan (R), 47% to 38%.