North Dakota: New Poll Shows Kevin Cramer Surge for House Seat

Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer (R) could upset his party-backed opponent in the Tuesday primary for North Dakota’s open at-large seat, a new poll suggested.

Cramer led fellow Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk, 60 percent to 21 percent with 19 percent undecided, in a Mason-Dixon poll sponsored by the local Valley News Live/KFYR-TV. The poll surveyed 625 likely voters from June 4 to 6. It had a margin of error of 4 percent.

A Cramer victory would make history in North Dakota GOP politics. It’s rare for anyone to mount a significant challenge against the GOP’s endorsed candidate in a primary — let alone win the GOP nod.

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North Dakota: Rick Berg Backs Brian Kalk for His House Seat

(Rep. Rick Berg, who is running for Senate, endorsed Brian Kalk in the GOP primary for his seat. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Rep. Rick Berg (R) endorsed Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk in the competitive GOP primary for the state’s at-large House seat, putting him at odds with some tea-party-affiliated groups.

“Obviously I’m supporting the candidates that were endorsed by the state convention,” Berg said in a wide-ranging interview with Roll Call last week.

Berg is leaving the House after a single term to run for an open Senate seat. A recent poll showed the GOP primary to succeed him is competitive. His endorsement doesn’t come as a big surprise. The state GOP convention also backed Berg for Senate over his primary competition, businessman Duane Sand, a frequent statewide candidate. In endorsing Kalk he’s sticking with the state GOP’s preferred ticket. Full story

Michigan: Another Democrat Challenges Justin Amash

Former state Rep. Steve Pestka announced Monday that he will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Justin Amash (R) in the fall. Full story

Arizona: Don Bivens Loses Ann Kirkpatrick Endorsement

Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick has withdrawn her primary endorsement of a fellow Democrat in the Arizona Senate race. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

In a blow to former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens’ campaign for the Senate, former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D) has withdrawn her primary endorsement of him.

“Ann has decided to be neutral in the Senate primary, but she looks forward to seeing an Arizona Democrat win that seat in the general election,” Kirkpatrick spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said in a statement.

“Ann has expressed that she wants to focus on her own race,” Bivens spokesman Mark Bergman said. “Don looks forward to running with her on the ticket this November.”
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North Carolina: Virginia Foxx Gives Nod to Richard Hudson

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx endorsed Congressional candidate Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) on Tuesday, giving a boost to his campaign.

With Foxx’s nod, Hudson, the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in the 8th district, solidifies his support from the Tar Heel State Republican establishment.

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Indiana: Club for Growth Backs Richard Mourdock for Senate (Finally)

(Shira Toeplitz/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The Club for Growth backed state Treasurer Richard Mourdock’s primary bid against Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar, giving the GOP upstart a boost against the six-term Senator.

The conservative group’s political action committee endorsed Mourdock today — just four days after the filing deadline for the May 8 primary. Full story

Indiana: Dick Lugar Internal Poll Shows Big Lead Over Richard Mourdock

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sen. Dick Lugar is up big over state Treasurer Richard Mourdock in Indiana’s GOP Senate primary, according to an internal poll the Senator’s campaign released.

The poll showed Lugar ahead of Mourdock, 55 percent to 30 percent among likely primary voters. The poll was conducted by Adam Geller at National Research Inc. Previously, Lugar used American Viewpoint to do his polling, but the campaign decided to switch firms, according to a Politico report.

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Race Rating Change: Heath Shuler’s Exit Makes Seat Likely Republican

At some point over the next nine months, Hayden Rogers, retiring Rep. Heath Shuler’s (D-N.C) former chief of staff, will probably drive by Mount Mitchell, about an hour outside Asheville.

At more than a mile high, it’s the tallest American peak east of the Mississippi River — and it should serve as a good reminder for Rogers of the steep uphill slog he faces as he attempts to keep the 11th district on the Democratic side of the ledger. Full story

Nebraska: Bob Kerrey Won’t Run for Senate

(Scott J. Ferrell/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey will not be running for retiring Sen. Ben Nelson’s (D) Nebraska Senate seat.

“For many reasons I nearly said yes. In the end I choose to remain a private citizen,” Kerrey wrote in an email, according to the Associated Press. “To those who urged me to do so, I am sorry, very sorry to have disappointed you. I hope you understand that I have chosen what I believe is best for my family and me.”

After Nelson announced his retirement late last year, Kerrey was viewed as the best hope for Democrats to hold on to the seat.

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North Carolina Democratic Bench Keeps Shuffling

Will the last endangered Democratic official in North Carolina please turn out the lights?

Rep. Brad Miller (D) announced his retirement this morning. Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue, facing the likely prospect of an epic defeat this November, announced her decision not to run for a second term this afternoon. Later, politically vulnerable Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) opened the door to running for governor of the Tar Heel State. And a local news report tonight said Rep. Heath Shuler (D) is eyeing a bid for governor as well. A Shuler spokeswoman had no comment. Full story

Missouri’s Ed Martin Settles on AG Race

Missouri attorney Ed Martin has finally found his race for 2012. He began the cycle as a contender to take on Sen. Claire McCaskil (D-Mo.). Then he decided to run instead for the open seat in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional district. Then he mulled a gubernatorial bid. Now he’s settled on running for Missouri attorney general. Full story