The Houston Chronicle reports that Vice President Dick Cheney is scheduled to attend a fundraiser in River Oaks today for Republican Pete Olson of Sugar Land and the Texas Republican Party. Olson is seeking to oust Democratic Rep. Nick Lampson , who in 2006 captured the 22nd District seat previously held by Rep. Tom DeLay. Olson has a big money gap to close. “At the end of March, the last period for which records are available, Olson’s campaign was technically in debt, with almost $128,000 on hand and a debt to the candidate, who provided a personal loan of $175,000. Lampson had $1 million in the bank.”

The Staten Island Advance reports that “Staten Island Conservatives want Democratic City Councilman Michael McMahon. State party chairman Michael Long and Brooklyn Conservatives want Republican Frank Powers.” Because the party is split, Conservatives left their county convention last night without endorsing a candidate to replace scandal-scarred Republican Rep. Vito Fossella, who is retiring. “The Conservatives have provided the margin of victory for a number of Island candidates, Republicans and Democrats alike, over the years, and the party endorsement is seen as crucial in this year’s congressional campaign.”