The Gloucester County Times reports that last month’s Supreme Court ruling nullifying the campaign finance “millionaire’s amendment” has meant that Republican Dick Zimmer, whos is challenging Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., “is raising less money from individuals than he could have.” Lautenberg has poured thousands of dollars of his own money into his re-election campaign account. Until the court’s decision, that would have allowed Zimmer to accept larger contributions than otherwise permitted. “Zimmer now cannot accept donations from individuals larger than $2,300. Zimmer said he disagrees with the Supreme Court ruling because the so-called ‘millionaires’ amendment’ would have leveled the playing field.” But he said he did not expect the decision to have a “decisive effect” on the race.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that “at least five independent or minor-party candidates are trying to get on Ohio’s Nov. 4 ballot” for the presidential election. “Few analysts think they can win, but they can help decide who does. Many Democrats blame Ralph Nader, running as a Green Party candidate in 2000, for taking enough votes from Al Gore to swing Florida and the presidency to George W. Bush, for example.” The filing deadline for those seeking a ballot spot is Aug. 21. “Petitions to gather the required 5,000 valid signatures of registered voters are being circulated or have been submitted for the Constitution, Green, Libertarian and Socialist parties and Nader, running this year as an independent.”