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Wednesday'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' U.S. Senate race, Rep. Ed Markey (D) has launched his first major statewide ad, touting his support for gun-safety legislation.

* On a related note, the three Republican candidates in the Massachusetts special election met last night for their first debate, in advance of their April 30 primary.

* In Pennsylvania, Public Policy Polling shows Gov. Tom Corbett (R) in quite a bit of trouble -- he has a 33% approval rating and trails his likely Democratic rivals, including an 11-point deficit against Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D). A new Quinnipiac poll wasn't quite as bad for Corbett, but it still shows him struggling badly.

* How can we tell for sure that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) is deeply worried about his re-election prospects? The election isn't for another 19 months, and the multi-term incumbent already launching a six-figure ad buy in his home state of Kentucky.

* Despite the Republican majority in the House, the DCCC outraised the NRCC in February by $1.3 million.

* Though Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) is generally considered vulnerable in 2014, a new PPP showed her with double-digit leads over her likely Republican rivals.

* In Connecticut, a new Quinnipiac poll shows Gov. Dannel Malloy's (D) approval rating ticking higher to 48%.

* Scott Romney has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate in Michigan next year, but Ronna Romney McDaniel, Mitt Romney's niece, says she's "looking at" the possibility of running.

* And speaking of candidates with famous last names, George P. Bush kicked off his new campaign in Texas yesterday, announcing a run for state agriculture land commissioner.