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:
* How will Democratic allies support lawmakers facing health-care attacks? With ads like the above clip from House Majority PAC, which is airing this spot for Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.).
* In a bit of a surprise, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) announced yesterday that he, too, will retire at the end of the year. McKeon is currently the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and his departure is already causing a fight for his gavel.
* In Kentucky, FreedomWorks believes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) would be a weak general-election candidate against Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), which is why it's investing in McConnell's primary opponent, Matt Bevin.
* In North Carolina, the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows incumbent Sen. Kay Hagan (D) trailing each of her Republican challengers in hypothetical match-ups by narrow margins. Thom Tillis, meanwhile, appears to be leading the GOP primary pack.
* Speaking of PPP, the pollster shows New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) with a narrow advantage over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R), 46% to 43%.
* On a related note, Brown has changed his website to suggest he's poised to make some kind of announcement.
* In Alaska, where Sen. Mark Begich (D) is gearing up for a tough re-election fight, Rep. Don Young (R) said this week, "Mark's done a great job of very frankly representing people. He's not always on my page, that's for sure, but he's done a good job." Expect to see comments like these in statewide ads very soon.
* And in Michigan, where the Republican establishment isn't especially impressed with Rep. Justin Amash (R), the Club for Growth is making a major ad buy in support of the congressman in advance of his primary challenge from Brian Ellis.