Elections on Thursday July 02, 2009

AK: Alaska state senator files letter of intent to run for governor
By Dan Joling, The Associated Press, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
The Democratic state senator who oversaw the "Troopergate" investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin filed a letter of intent Wednesday to run for her job.
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MN: If Coleman goes for governor, he'll cast a long shadow
By Mike Kaszuba, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The biggest mystery, now that Democrat Al Franken is heading to the U.S. Senate, is how soon Republican Norm Coleman will let Minnesotans know whether he wants to be their governor.
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AK: Native rights activist will run for governorktuu
By Staff Writers, KTUU.com (Anchorage)
A longtime activist for Alaska Native rights intends to run for governor.
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AK: The Sarah Palin chronicles mask deeper GOP troubles
By Dan Balz and Perry Bacon Jr., The Washington Post
On the same day Republicans surrendered a symbolically significant seat in the Senate, the Sarah Palin wars erupted again inside the party. Leaks followed by trash-talking followed by recriminations.
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AL: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb decides against run for governorship
By David White, The Birmingham News
Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb on Wednesday said she plans to keep her seat on the Alabama Supreme Court and will not run for governor.
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AL: Sparks unveiling platform for Alabama governor
By The Associated Press, Montgomery Advertiser
State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is unveiling a major part of his platform in his Democratic campaign for governor.
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AL: Chief Justice Cobb won't make gubernatorial bid
By Sebastian Kitchen, Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb said Wednesday that she will not run for governor in 2010.
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AZ: Legislators OK change to Tucson elections
By Daniel Scarpinato, Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)
The Legislature has approved major changes in how Tucsonans elect their City Council members.
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AZ: Bill lets political signs go up on rights of way
Staff reports, Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)
State senators gave final approval Wednesday to legislation blocking state or local officials from removing political signs from public rights of way.
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FL: Petition ban at polls stands, Fla. court says
By The Associated Press, The Sun-Sentinel (South Florida)
A federal appellate court has upheld a Florida law banning petition gathering within 100 feet of polling places.
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GA: Nine are candidates for state Supreme Court vacancy
By Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta's U.S. attorney, five judges and three private attorneys were nominated Wednesday to be Georgia's next Supreme Court justice.
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GA: Hunstein finishes long road to Ga. chief justice
By Greg Bluestein, The Associated Press, The Macon Telegraph
Carol Hunstein's long journey to the pinnacle of Georgia's legal system took more twists and turns than a captivating trial.
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GA: Democrat urges Barnes to reconsider
By The Associated Press, The Augusta Chronicle
A Democratic gubernatorial candidate is urging former Gov. Roy Barnes to reconsider his run for office.
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IA: 32-year-old GOP candidate would be youngest governor in Iowa history, if elected
By O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa
A 32-year-old from Cedar Rapids is running for governor and, if elected, he'd be Iowa's youngest chief executive.
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NJ: Obama to hit the trail for Corzine
By Josh Margolin, The Star-Ledger (Newark)
Hoping to sprinkle Gov. Jon Corzine with political stardust, President Obama will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey in two weeks.
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NM: N.M. SOS Mary Herrera -- All systems should be online Thursday
By Heath Haussamen, New Mexico Independent
New Mexico Secretary of State Mary Herrera said late Wednesday that the computer systems in her office that enable database searches and Uniform Commercial Code filings should be back online Thursday.
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PA: Drug company's case reaches top state court
By Staff Reports, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear legal arguments from a pharmaceutical company about whether a Texas law firm whose founder donated $91,000 to Gov. Ed Rendell's campaign can continue to represent the state in a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer.
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RI: Supporters of state name change poised to woo voters' support
By Cynthia Needham, The Providence Journal
Supporters of a plan that would give voters in next year's general election the opportunity to strike the phrase "and Providence Plantations" from the state's formal name, launched a public awareness and education campaign Wednesday.
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RI: Lt. Gov. Roberts bows out of race for governor
By Steve Peoples, The Providence Journal
Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will not run for governor in 2010, according to a surprise announcement Wednesday afternoon that squelched widespread speculation the Cranston Democrat would compete for Rhode Island's most powerful elective post.
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SC: 39 trips for Sanford with no security in '09
By Clif LeBlanc, The State (Columbia)
Gov. Mark Sanford left the Governor's Mansion without a security escort 38 times in 2008. In the first six months of this year, he left the mansion without security 39 times.
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SC: S.C. governor resists pressure to resign
By Philip Rucker, The Washington Post
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford defied calls for his resignation yesterday from GOP leaders, insisting he will remain in office even as his political fortunes dimmed in the wake of his admission that he secretly traveled abroad to meet a mistress.
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TN: Ex-GOP chief - Don't judge me by anti-Obama tactics
By Bill Poovey, The Associated Press, The Tennessean (Nashville)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Former Tennessee Republican chairwoman Robin Smith said Wednesday that a state GOP news release that used Barack Obama's middle name, "Hussein," and showed him in traditional African clothing should not be used to question her leadership during her run for Congress.
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TN: Top GOP gubernatorial candidates raise $6.3M
By Erik Schelzig, The Associated Press, The Tennessean (Nashville)
The top three candidates for the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor said they have combined to raise $6.3 million through the first six months of the year.
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VT: Census: Vermont's population rises grudgingly
By Matt Sutkoski, Burlington Free Press
Vermont's overall population ticked up slightly; five of the state's eight largest municipalities are in Chittenden County; and the population in the state's southern counties continues to dwindle.
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VT: State senator runs for lieutenant governor
By The Associated Press, Times Argus (Barre/Montpelier)
State Sen. Edward Flanagan is running for lieutenant governor.
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WA: WA property tax campaign moves toward fall ballot
By The Associated Press, seattlepi.com
Professional initiative promoter Tim Eyman could move his latest campaign closer to the ballot if he hands over nearly 300,000 valid petition signatures to Washington state officials.
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WI: Neumann files for gubernatorial run
By Brian Moon, Wisconsin Radio Network
The Republicans have another candidate who is officially running for Governor. Although Mark Neumann is a former US House member, he is actually touting his work in the private sector over the past decade.
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