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Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli (R)

Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* It may seem early, but as of yesterday, state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli already has secured the Republican Party's nomination for governor in Virginia. The state convention is not for another four months, but yesterday was the filing deadline for all statewide races, and no other GOP candidates emerged.

* In South Carolina, Jenny Sanford, former first lady of South Carolina, has decided not to run in the upcoming U.S. House special election, avoiding a primary against her ex-husband, former Gov. Mark Sanford (R).

* In Arkansas, Public Policy Polling shows former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R) with a big lead over state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) in next year's gubernatorial race, 46% to 33%. McDaniel has been hurt by an "inappropriate" extra-marital relationship he recently acknowledged.

* Scrambling is well underway among West Virginia Democrats in the race to replace retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D). Despite some mistaken assumptions to the contrary, Dems have a deep bench in the state -- seven of West Virginia's eight statewide offices are held by Democrats.

* George P. Bush intends to run for statewide office in Texas next year, and though he hasn't said which one, he's already raised more than $1.3 million in contributions, including $50,000 from billionaire Harold Simmons, best known for helping finance the Swiftboat smear campaign in 2004.

* Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D) moved closer to a Senate campaign this week, officially filing his paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. Even if Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) retires, though, Booker may face a primary.

* And though it's way too early for 2016 polling, PPP put one in the field anyway and found Hillary Clinton with big leads.