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Tuesday's campaign round-up

Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
 
* In a bit of a surprise, Rep. Jim Gerlach (R) announced he will retire from his Pennsylvania congressional seat at the end of this year. Though the district became slightly more Republican-friendly after 2010 redistricting, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers the district an important pickup opportunity.
 
* If you're not following the U.S. Senate race in Georgia, it's probably time to start. While right-wing House members compete for the Republican nomination, Democrat Michelle Nunn has started getting support from former Sen. Richard Lugar's (R) leadership PAC, former Sen. John Warner (R), and some notable Romney donors.
 
* Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) has generally kept his distance from Democratic fundraising, but this week he donated $2.5 million to a super PAC that helps support Democratic U.S. Senate candidates.
 
* Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) formally kicked off his re-election campaign this week, stressing his support from Sen. Rand Paul (R), whom McConnell fought against in 2010.
 
* In Arkansas, outgoing Gov. Mike Beebe (D) appears in a new endorsement ad, throwing support to former Rep. Mike Ross (D), who's trying to replace him. Beebe says in the spot that "no one is more independent than Mike."
 
* The RNC is launching new radio ads targeting eight Democratic Senate incumbents and four Democratic House incumbents with yet another complaint about health care reform.
 
* With Mel Watt finally having been confirmed to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) will leave Watt's U.S. House seat vacant until the November elections.
 
* And in Nebraska, U.S. Senate hopeful Ben Sasse (R) is airing a new ad calling for the U.S. Capital to be moved to the Cornhusker State.