Minnesota: While not the ultimate decision we're waiting on, this decision is pretty good. A judgment has come out of a Ramsey County court that Republican Norm Coleman must pay Senator-elect Al Franken just under $95,000 to cover court costs before the three-judge panel.
New York: Labor activist Jonathan Tasini has announced that he will challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for the Democratic nomination in the 2010 Senate race, and Tasini has a campaign website up. No word on whether Tasini would defer to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney if or when she enters the race. Tasini last ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against then-Senator Hillary Clinton in her 2006 re-election bid, where Tasini only won 16% of the vote. In other news, Senator Gillibrand announces her latest endorsement: former NYC Mayor Ed Koch.
Florida: It looks like the conservative Club for Growth is getting prepared to enter the 2010 Republican Senate primary on behalf of conservative former state House Speaker Marco Rubio against less conservative Charlie Crist.
Delaware: Republican Rep. Mike Castle has passed on the opportunity to serve as Ranking Member (i.e. top Republican) on the House Education and Labor Committee, citing indecision about his 2010 plans. While this doesn't suggest that he's leaning toward a 2010 Senate run versus leaning toward retirement, it does suggest that he does not fully expect to be back in the House in 2011.
North Carolina: The News & Observer offers its latest look at who's in and who's out for the Democratic nomination for Senate in 2010 against vulnerable freshman Republican backbencher Richard "Bank Run" Burr. The four names most focused on as potential nominees are Congressman Mike McIntyre, N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, State Senator Dan Blue, and former State Senator Cal Cunningham.
Illinois: Potential Republican candidate for Senate in 2010 and GOP Congresscritter Mark Kirk is actively working to undermine the American economy. That's not an exaggeration. He's meeting with Chinese leaders and telling them not to believe U.S. budget numbers - working to reduce American credibility with America's #1 debt-holder.
Utah: Republican Robert Bennett is the worst kind of hypocrite when it comes to federal spending, and his Republican primary opponents will make him answer for it in the 2010 Republican Senate primary. While bashing President Obama's stimulus bill, he was pushing for over $180 million in spending to be added to the bill. Speaking of the primary, businesswoman Cherilyn Eagar has gone from considering a bid to all the way in. Other Republican primary combatants include state Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and businessman & Ron Paul disciple James Williams.
Connecticut: Ron Paul advisor Peter Schiff is getting more serious about running for Senate in 2010, meeting with NRSC Chair John Cornyn and soliciting Wilson Research Strategies to poll. However, Schiff also let slip to a reporter: "I don't know when the last time I voted was."
Colorado: Message to Senator Michael Bennet: shit or get off the pot. Why did you want the appointment to the U.S. Senate vacancy if you're not going to take positions on important issues? The Employee Free Choice Act helps working families. What information are you still waiting for?
