A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

So much for the supposed handicap of being unknown to statewide voters. A Zogby International poll released Thursday shows that Rep. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.) is in a statistical tie with first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) in the campaign for New York's open Senate seat. Lazio stepped into the race to replace N.Y. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani one week ago, when polls showed him trailing Clinton by 14 points. The current survey shows Clinton leading 46 to 44 percent, with a commanding lead among city voters but already behind Lazio upstate and in the downstate suburbs.

"I can only hope and pray that I will find favor in God's eyes." First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at a Thursday town hall meeting, responding to a Republican audience member's question on where she thinks she will spend eternity. (The New York Post, May 26)

• Lazio, Clinton in Tight Race
(Albany Times Union, May 26)
• Rising Star Lazio Catches Hillary in New York Minute
(New York Post, May 26)
• More: N.Y. Senate Race

Giuliani has agreed to return $2.8 million of the massive campaign war chest he compiled and will urge the same donors to support Lazio's campaign. However, even though he dropped out of the race, the money kept coming in for Giuliani.
• Giuliani to Return $2.8 Million
(The New York Times, May 26)
• Rudy's Out, but Cash Pours In
(New York Daily News, May 26)

Washington's Gov. Locke Launches Reelection Bid
With high approval ratings, a clean record, and backing from state labor, business and education groups, Washington Gov. Gary Locke (D) kicked off his reelection campaign Wednesday by saying he may not be a flashy candidate, but he can "get things done."
• Governor Kicks Off Bid for Second Term
(Seattle Times, May 25)
• Locke Kicks Off His Reelection Campaign
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 25)
• Profile: Gov. Gary Locke | Wash. Governor's Race

Former Washington governor Mike Lowry is mulling a political comeback as the state's land commissioner. Lowry served one stormy term as chief executive, pushing through a $1 billion tax hike before he left office in 1996 after enduring allegations of sexual misconduct.
• Is Lowry Returning to Politics? He's Being Courted for Lands Post
(Seattle Times, May 23)

Colorado's Former Governor Eyes L.A. School Job
Former Colorado governor Roy Romer is among the finalists for a daunting new job – superintendent of the Los Angeles school district. Romer, who spent 12 years in the governor's office, said the sheer scale of the school system is what interested him in the position.
• Romer a Finalist for L.A. Job
(Denver Post, May 25)

Nevada Republican Resent Recruitment Criticism
With congressional reapportionment issues looming for the 2001 legislative session, Nevada Republicans said now was the time to make a strong recruitment push in order to win control of the state Assembly. So criticism that Democrats did a better job in finding candidates is not sitting well with some members of the state GOP.
• Republicans Defend Effort to Recruit Candidates
(Las Vegas Sun, May 22)