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:
* Dan Donovan, a Staten Island district attorney, moved one step closer to replacing former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) in Congress, launching his special-election campaign late last week. Donovan is perhaps best known for his handling of the Eric Garner case.
* In Missouri, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) is reportedly prepared to announce this morning whether or not she will run for governor in 2016. Incumbent Gov. Jay Nixon (D) is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. [Update: McCaskill announced she will remain in the Senate and will skip Missouri's gubernatorial race.]
* Los Angeles' current mayor isn't interested in running for the U.S. Senate next year, but its former mayor sounds eager to jump in: Antonio Villaraigosa (D) said in a statement over the weekend, "The urgency of the needs of the people of this great state have convinced me to seriously consider looking at running for California's open Senate seat."
* Former Sen. Rick Santorum's (R-Pa.) latest presidential campaign has not yet formally begun, but he's already dismissing Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz "as 'bomb throwers' with scant achievements." He's also taking rhetorical aim at former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), who would presumably compete with Santorum for the same social-conservative voters.
* Speaking of Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican is also moving forward with his national plans, "bringing on Republican strategist Chris LaCivita as a senior adviser." LaCivita is more of an establishment operative, making him a less-traditional choice for Team Paul.
* And speaking of campaign staffers, Republican lobbyist Richard Hohlt is reportedly offering guidance to Jeb Bush's presidential campaign, which is of interest because Mother Jones noted Hohlt has been described as "one of the most infamous lobbyists in the world."
* Finally, following up on this morning's piece, the Boston Globe reports that Mitt Romney spent some time over the weekend "calling former supporters, trying to test the waters and gauge what might lie ahead."