Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* With just 18 days remaining before Election Day in New Jersey, the latest statewide poll from Quinnipiac University found Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill leading Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, 50% to 44%, while the latest Fox News survey found Sherrill up by a similar margin, 50% to 45%. Both polls showed the race has tightened since last month.
* In Maine this week, incumbent Democratic Gov. Janet Mills launched a U.S. Senate campaign, hoping to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins next year. Soon after, Dan Kleban suspended his statewide bid and endorsed the governor, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee formed a joint fundraising committee with Mills.
* In related news, Mills will have to overcome a primary fight with Graham Platner, a former Marine combat veteran who now raises oysters, whose record is suddenly facing some scrutiny. Politico reported that Platner “once suggested in online posts that violence is a necessary means to achieving social change,” while CNN reported that he once called himself a “communist” who derided police officers. Platner disavowed the posts to the cable network, saying, “I don’t think any of that is indicative of who I am today, really.”
* With just 18 days remaining before Election Day in Virginia, Barack Obama is throwing his support behind former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s candidacy for governor, including starring in two digital ads for her campaign.
* On a related note, the Democratic former president is also starring in a new ad airing in California in support of Proposition 50, which would allow Democratic officials to redraw the state’s congressional district map.
* In Massachusetts, Sen. Ed Markey learned this week that he’s facing a Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, who’s making the incumbent’s age an issue: Markey will be 80 on Election Day 2026, making him one of the oldest members of Congress seeking re-election next year.
* Iowa’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary narrowed a bit this week, as Jackie Norris, the chair of the Des Moines school board, ended her bid.
* And in North Carolina, where Republican state lawmakers are moving forward with a new gerrymandering scheme, GOP officials unveiled a draft district map this week that would give Republicans control over 11 of the state’s 14 congressional seats, up from the current 10.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
