Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* A month ago, Ted Cruz was still saying he might win a majority of delegates before the Republican convention. That's now mathematically impossible -- even if he won literally all of the remaining delegates, the Texas senator wouldn't get to 1,237.
* The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has reserved nearly $40 million in air time for the fall, sending a pretty clear signal about where the battlegrounds will be. The DSCC has reserved $10 million in Florida, another $10 million in Ohio, $8 million in New Hampshire, $5 million in Colorado, and $4 million in Nevada.
* Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Monday he's "increasingly optimistic that there will actually be a second ballot" at the Republican National Convention. Yesterday, he clarified: "What I said, somewhat inartfully, was is that we will have a nominee once we get to 1,237 votes. If that does not happen on the first ballot, there will be another ballot."
* In North Carolina, an Elon University poll shows state Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) taking the lead against incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory (R), 48% to 42%.
* In Maryland, PPP's latest poll shows Hillary Clinton leading Bernie Sanders in the state's presidential primary, 58% to 33%. In a change of pace, Clinton is even ahead among younger voters in the state. Maryland is one of five states that hold primaries next week.
* The same poll found Donald Trump leading among Maryland Republicans with 43% support. John Kasich trails with 29%, followed by Ted Cruz at 24%.
* Ted Cruz sent out a fundraising message this week, taking about the many "sacrifices" he's making, complaining that "personal time is not possible," "the constant attacks never stop," "time with my family is non-existent," and "health and sleep are limited." Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) mocked him yesterday for his "whining." She added, "We're supposed to pity you because trying to be the leader of the free world is hard?! 2 words: Boo hoo."