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Monday's Campaign Round-Up, 2.5.18

Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* House Speaker Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) political action committee will reportedly distribute $5,000 campaign checks this morning to 143 House Republican incumbents seeking re-election this fall. The combined $715,000 constitutes the PAC's "largest one-time transfer of the year."

* On a related note, House Republicans are settling on a 2018 strategy, which will apparently focus -- once again -- on complaining about House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a lot.

* Rep. Devin Nunes' (R-Calif.) top Democratic challenger, Andrew Janz, had a significant fundraising boost on Friday after the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee released his "memo."

* Speaking of fundraising, NBC News highlighted an interesting tidbit late last week: "At least 45 Democratic challengers in 34 districts raised more money last quarter than the Republican member of Congress they're hoping to defeat in November, according to new campaign finance reports."

* The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC affiliated with the Senate Republican leadership, is launching a new ad in Nevada targeting Sen. Dean Heller's (R) primary rival, Danny Tarkanian. That's not a good sign for the incumbent: it suggests the party has reason to believe Heller faces a real threat.

* Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) personally appealed to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) to be prepared to appoint himself to the Senate in the event Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) could no longer serve. Bryant apparently declined.

* In Illinois' 3rd congressional district, a right-wing Holocaust denier will be the Republican nominee for Congress this year -- because no other GOP candidate wanted to run. The district is currently represented by Rep. Dan Lipinski (D), who's facing a credible primary rival.