On August 26, Politico carried this story that not only reiterates the news that Donald Trump may run as an independent presidential candidate, but also that Texas Governor Rick Perry has recently had several phone conversations with Donald Trump. It seems most likely that Perry is seeking an endorsement from Trump, but the content of the phone conversations is not revealed in the story.
On August 25, the state of Arizona filed a federal lawsuit, charging that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act violates the U.S. Constitution. Section 5 is the part that requires certain states to pre-clear election law changes. See this story. The case is State of Arizona v Holder. Here is the complaint. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
On August 25, Public Policy Polling released this interesting poll that measures the November 2012 election if various well-known political figures ran outside the two major parties.
Anthony Prowell is a Tucson, Arizona Democrat who wishes to run for Congress in the 8th district in 2012. However, that seat is now held by Gabrielle Giffords, who says she is at least eight months away from deciding whether she will run for re-election. See this story, which explains that Democratic Party officials are so angry with Prowell for even suggesting that someone else should run for the Democratic nomination, that Prowell is now considering switching to the Green Party. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.
On October 18, Massachusetts is holding a special election to fill the vacant State House seat in the Berkshire County 3rd district, around Pittsfield. The race will be between Green Party nominee Mark C. Miller, and a Democrat who will be chosen in a special primary on September 20. On August 24, the Miller campaign announced that the Massachusetts United Auto Workers has already endorsed Miller, even though no one yet knows which of three Democrats will be the Democratic nominee. See this story. Thanks to Green Party Watch for this news.
Mark Miller ran for this same seat in November 2010, and in a two-person race against a Democrat, polled 45.02%.
