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:
* A Kentucky super PAC committed to helping Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) is airing this new ad in Louisville and Lexington this week. It urges voters to support McConnell for his opposition to the Affordable Care Act. For a Republican red-state incumbent without an announced opponent, McConnell and his allies sure are investing heavily 18 months before the election.
* In a bit of a surprise, former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D) announced this morning that she will not be running for the open U.S. Senate race in South Dakota next year. For now, former Tom Daschle aide Rick Weiland is announced Democratic candidate.
* Also surprising, Rep. Tom Price (R) announced that he doesn't want to be in the Senate, either, and will skip the open race in Georgia in 2014.
* New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) appears to be cruising towards re-election, but he's nevertheless launching an $800,000 ad buy this week attacking his Democratic rival, state Sen. Barbara Buono.
* In New Hampshire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) enjoys a healthy lead over Jeb Bradley (R) in a hypothetical match up, 48% to 25%. Her lead over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) isn't quite as big, 44% to 30%.
* Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), gearing up for his likely presidential campaign, spoke at the Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, over the weekend. He also published an op-ed in a conservative newspaper condemning Hillary Clinton late last week.
* And in Maryland, where incumbent Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) is stepping down after two terms, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) has become the first candidate to announce plans to succeed him.