IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Friday's campaign round-up

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:* In

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:

* In Massachusetts' Senate special election, Republican Gabriel Gomez is facing new questions about the generous home tax break he took advantage of. He's also getting slammed for opposing gun reforms in a new ad from his Democratic opponent, Rep. Ed Markey.

* For his part, Gomez is stepping up his own advertising campaign. The election is June 25.

* Remember Karen Handel, who caused all kinds of trouble for Komen For The Cure last year? As of today, she's a Republican candidate for the Senate in Georgia. She joins a crowded GOP primary that already includes U.S. Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey, and Jack Kingston.

* After House Republicans voted for the 37th time to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched online ads targeting Republican Reps. Chris Gibson (N.Y.), Michael Grimm (N.Y.), Joe Heck (Nev.), Frank LoBiondo (D-N.J.), Gary Miller (Calif.), Steve Pearce (N.M.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.), Jon Runyan (N.J.), David Valadao (Calif.), and Bill Young (Fla.).

* The Republican Party's pollsters didn't do the party any favors in 2012, with much of the GOP caught off-guard by the election results. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) this week said the NRCC has taken steps to improve its polling operation, though it's unclear what those steps are.

* And in New Jersey, Newark Mayor Cory Booker appears to be the leading Democratic Senate candidate for the open-seat race in 2014, but Rep. Frank Pallone (D) appears increasingly likely to run, and sent a critical letter to Booker last week accusing him of withholding money from AIDS patients.