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Schweitzer Campaign Airs First TV Ad.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has released the first television ad in the election race. The ad shows Schweitzer riding a horse and roping cattle with his dog, Jag. The governor said advertisements he airs in the race will talk about progress he and Lt. Governor John Bohlinger have made in their first term. Watch the ad here: Read more
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CAMPAIGN NEWS

MO – Today’s Primary Makes Nixon Nomination Official. Today is primary election day in Missouri. The incumbent GOP governor, Matt Blunt, touched off the political free-for-all in January when he announced he would not seek a second term because he wanted to spend more time with his family. The 37-year-old governor, the nation’s youngest when elected four years ago, may have had trouble winning reelection because polls show a majority of Missourians view him unfavorably. The fight between Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof is Tuesday’s most closely watched contest and tells a larger story about the condition of the Republican Party nationally. The party’s leader, President George W. Bush, is unpopular with a majority of Americans and polls show Republicans’ favorable views of their party have dropped 10 percentage points in the last year mainly because of conservative disenchantment. Waiting to take on the winner Tuesday is Attorney General Jay Nixon, who has collected $8.2 million in campaign donations, with about $3 million on hand to start the fall campaign.Read more

WA – Gregoire Continues to Widen Lead. Gov. Chris Gregoire has moved to a 16-point lead over Dino Rossi in the latest statewide Elway Poll of Washington voters. According to Elway, Gregoire has risen from 47 percent to 52 percent, crossing the 50 percent threshold for the first time. Rossi has slipped from 39 percent to 36 percent: 12 percent were undecided. Gregoire garnered support from 87 percent of Democrats surveyed, and led 43-37 percent among Independents. The Elway Poll showed Gregoire ahead nearly every place in the state. Read more

GENERAL NEWS

IL – Blagojevich Signs Anti-Stalker Bill into Law. When Cindy Bischof died at the hands of an ex-boyfriend who had twice violated her orders of protection against him, her family channeled their grief into an immediate and compelling plea to change state law. Only five months after Bischof’s killing, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a measure to create a new early warning system by allowing satellite tracking of people who violate orders of protection. GPS satellite devices will allow authorities to monitor whether someone enters those excluded zones and automatically alert authorities as well as victims. Read more

KS – Sebelius Announces Program for Kansas Agriculture. After 30 years of offering agricultural products under the “From the Land of Kansas” trademark, the state is shifting to “Simply Kansas.” The change was announced by the Kansas Department of Commerce and touted by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as the state’s newest effort to promote products grown, made and processed in Kansas. “There’s clearly a demand for quality products that Kansas ag producers offer,” Sebelius said. The new statewide trademark program allows Kansas producers to access marketing and technical assistance, educational opportunities, and permission to use the “Simply Kansas” logo on packaging and promotional materials. “Unfortunately, many of these entrepreneurs don’t have the resources to promote their products on a large scale. That’s where Simply Kansas can help, and that’s why we’re so excited about the program,” Sebelius said. Read more

MA – Patrick Makes Major Investment in Infrastructure. Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation to fix up to 300 of the most dilapidated bridges in Massachusetts, a plan he hopes will bring the state’s infrastructure up to par after years of neglect. Standing on the Esplanade with the ailing Longfellow Bridge in the background, Patrick and several of the state’s top transportation officials put into law an eight-year, $3 billion spending plan. “We have had a long period of neglect, where we have ignored the upkeep and maintenance and investment in our physical infrastructure,” Patrick said. “Well that trend, starting today, is over.” Read more

NC – Easley Welcomes Expanded Investment in State. Time Warner Entertainment Co. will invest $3.68 million in its Charlotte operations and add 200 jobs here over the next four years. The move will boost the company’s local work force to more than 1,000 employees. According to the office of Gov. Mike Easley, the new jobs will pay an average salary of $70,375 per year, excluding benefits, well above the Mecklenburg County average of $48,724. In 2004, the state awarded a job-development investment grant to Time Warner Entertainment to expand its corporate offices on Crescent Executive Drive. Read more

WV – Manchin’s Historic Visit Supports Youths. Sporting a Berkeley County Youth Fair cap, Gov. Joe Manchin made the rounds at the Berkeley County fairgrounds Monday afternoon, taking in the whole fair experience. According to fair officials, it was the first time in 20 years that a governor visited the Berkeley County Youth Fair. During his visit, Manchin gave certificates of participation to the members of this year’s Berkeley County Queen’s Court. His next stop was a ribbon cutting with 4-H members at a newly constructed concession stand, which will help raise money to send students to 4-H Camp. “The character built here speaks volumes of who your are, the friends you make and how you reach out to help people,” Manchin said of the 4-H members and their participation in the fair. “When we cut this ribbon, we’re expecting good things to happen.” Read more

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