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:
* No big surprises in yesterday's primaries, including Sen. Pat Roberts' (R-Kan.) success fending off an even-further-right challenger. Note, however, that Michigan Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich.) lost his primary, becoming only the third incumbent to lose in a primary this year.
* In Alaska's closely watched U.S. Senate race, the Republican primary has become far more competitive, with a PPP poll showing Dan Sullivan's advantage over Mead Treadwell shrinking to six points, 35% to 29%. In hypothetical match-ups, incumbent Sen. Mark Begich has small-but-steady leads over each of his would-be GOP challengers.
* In North Carolina, the latest Civitas poll shows Sen. Kay Hagan (D) with a two-point lead over Thom Tillis (R), 41% to 39%, with the Libertarian candidate in the race. In a head-to-head match-up, Tillis is up by two points.
* The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has launched its first independent-expenditure ad of the cycle, investing $3.6 million in support of Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). The money will go towards running a very effective ad, highlighting Rep. Tom Cotton's (R-Ark.) vote against funding for a pediatric hospital in Arkansas.
* Speaking of Arkansas' U.S. Senate race, PPP now shows Cotton with a two-point lead over Pryor, 41% to 39%. The same poll shows Republicans positioned to do well in all of Arkansas' major statewide races.
* Though Republicans had hoped the U.S. Senate race in Georgia would be easy, it's not turning out that way. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has launched a $2.6 million ad buy in support of David Perdue (R) in his race against Michelle Nunn (D).
* Confirming previous reports, the Koch-affiliated Freedom Partners is prepared to invest millions in Oregon's U.S. Senate race in support of Monica Wehby (R). There are no public polls that suggest she's a competitive candidate.
* And in Montana, there are credible rumors that appointed Sen. John Walsh (D), rocked by a plagiarism controversy, may drop out of the race. If he does, Montana Democrats, who face long odds anyway, will have until Aug. 20 -- two weeks from today -- to choose a new candidate.