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:
* To the relief of the DSCC, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) announced this morning that he will not run for the Senate in 2016. This is an open-seat contest with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D) retiring next year.
* Former Gov. George Pataki (R) faces very long odds in the race for the Republicans' presidential nomination, but he's at least competitive in his home state. The latest Quinnipiac poll shows Pataki, who was governor for 12 years, tied with Marco Rubio at 11% among New York Republicans. Whether that's impressive for Pataki or not is a matter of perspective.
* In a bit of a surprise, three-term Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) announced yesterday he won't seek re-election in 2016. State House Speaker Shap Smith (D) is considered a possible successor, though Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, a popular moderate Republican, is also eyeing the race.
* Jeb Bush is launching another fundraising blitz to coincide with the formal launch of his presidential campaign on Monday. Successful bundlers, according to the AP, "will be awarded certain perks, including an invitation to a two-day July retreat at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine."
* This is the sort of thing a professional campaign staff reminds a presidential candidate not to do: "During an 8-minute speech at Joni Ernst's inaugural "Roast & Ride" presidential campaign forum in Iowa on Saturday, Republican Ben Carson checked his wristwatch four different times."
* Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is reportedly confident about the first Democratic presidential primary. "Let me tell you a secret," he told reporters over the weekend. "We're going to win New Hampshire."
* And as Rachel noted on the show last night, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is getting ready to shift from an unannounced presidential candidate to an announced presidential candidate. The official news will reportedly come "shortly" after the end of June.