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:
* Just a week after Jeb Bush bowed out of the Iowa Straw Poll, Mike Huckabee has now done the same. I'd bet good money they won't be the last two to make this decision.
* Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign has hired Lorella Praeli, a high-profile Dream Act activist, as Latino Outreach Director.
* In a mayoral race that drew national attention, Florida businessman Lenny Curry (R) was elected as Jacksonville's new mayor this week, narrowly defeating a Democratic incumbent. There are very few big-city GOP mayors.
* In the state of Washington, Public Policy Polling shows incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee (D) and incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D) in pretty good shape next year. Former Attorney General Rob McKenna is the strongest Republican contender against both, though the Dems are ahead in hypothetical match-ups.
* Gallup's new report shows President Obama's favorability reaching its highest level in nearly two years. As the 2016 race takes shape, the president's popularity is likely to make a significant difference.
* At an event in D.C. this week with dozens of House Republicans, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) said the fact that he's not a college graduate could help his presidential campaign.
* Asked about his interest in the presidential campaign, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) the odds are "50-50" that he'll run.
* In fundraising news, the National Republican Senatorial Committee outraised its Democratic counterparts in April, $4.2 million to $3.8 million. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, however, has had the better year overall.
* And on a related note, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee narrowly outraised its Republican counterpart in April, $5.4 million to $5.1 million. The National Republican Congressional Committee still has more cash on hand.