Tuesday Rundown

North Carolina: On the heels of Congressman Brad Miller taking himself out of the Senate running, The News & Observer checks in with two state legislators, State Representative Grier Martin and State Senator Kay Hagan, who have had Senate speculation land on them. Blue NC is vocally supportive of a potential bid by Rep. Martin. Further, the Winston-Salem Journal has details on Forsyth County Commissioner Ted Kaplan considering entering the race.

Alaska: Politics1.com's Tuesday News Update highlights:

ALASKA: Roll Call reports former Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman (R), former State Senate President Mike Miller (R), former State Senator John Binkley (R) and State House Speaker John Harris (R) are all "weighing challenging" either US Senator Ted Stevens (R) or Congressman Don Young (R) in next year's primary.

These rumblings are no doubt the result of both legislators facing significant ethics concerns. A primary challenge to the octogenarian Stevens heightening the intensity of a re-election campaign, coupled with the ongoing FBI investigation into his dealings with the corrupt VECO Corporation, could further encourage a retirement, which would hopefully further entice a strong Democrat, like Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, to enter the race.

Montana: The Hill reports that "[disgraced former state House Republican Leader Michael] Lange (R) is strongly leaning toward challenging Sen. Max Baucus (D) in 2008 and will make a formal announcement late this week, likely Friday." No word yet on whether his announcement speech will be as obscenity-laden as his recent tirade against popular Governor Brian Schweitzer that got Lange bounced from his leadership post. The Hill article also notes:

[Republican Rep. Denny] Rehberg spokesman Bridger Pierce said last week that Rehberg had made no decision about running against Baucus.

Other Montanans mentioned as potential candidates include state Sen. Corey Stapleton, engineer Kirk Bushman and restaurateur Dean Folkvord.

Stapleton told The Hill that “it would not be my intention to” challenge Baucus and that he’s not weighing a bid.

Bushman, a relative unknown to the state party, recently launched a Senate campaign website on which he says he is “considering” a bid.

If you would like to learn more about how unfit Michael Lange is to serve in the Senate, enjoy this compilation.

Minnesota: Smilin' Norm Coleman might have less to smile about as expectations are being lowered as to Coleman's Q2 fundraising take, with suggestions that Al Franken might outraise Coleman for the April-June quarter.

Idaho: Catch Senate candidate and former Congressman Larry LaRocco on Daily Kos for some more liveblogging fun tomorrow (Wednesday, June 27) at 2pm Eastern, 1pm Central, Noon Mountain, 11am Pacific.

New Hampshire: The effort to draft Jeanne Shaheen into the Senate race against Sprintin' John Sununu has launched a new website at www.DraftShaheen.com.

Texas: Stop Cornyn has details on a Democratic town hall meeting attended by both Senate candidate Mikal Watts and State Representative & potential Senate candidate Rick Noriega.