A few notable Senate stories worth posting.

• IL-Sen: Rep. Jan Schakowsky has released an internal poll -- conducted by Lake Research Partners -- that has her barely ahead of a tight pack for next year's Senate primary with Roland Burris in third.

  Via Swing State Project:

  Jan Schakowsky 24
  Alexi Giannoulias 22
  Roland Burris 18
  Undecided 36

  What's notable here is that Schakowsky, who is a member of Congress, is essentially tied with Giannoulias who has already won election statewide as Illinois' state treasurer. That bodes well for Schakowsky in such an early poll, although it's still unclear whether she'll even jump in officially. Josh Kraushaar thinks all signs are pointing to No, but then why did she release this poll? Schakowsky reportedly will make her intentions known for this February '10 primary by June 8.

• FL-Sen: Per The Fix, Charlie Crist is a "near lock" to run for the open Florida Senate seat. He'll make his decision by May 5th. From Cilizza:

  Crist would immediately emerge as the favorite to win the Republican primary although informed observers seem to believe that former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, who is close to former Gov. Jeb Bush, would remain in the primary.

  Crist's candidacy also could have an impact on the Democratic field, with Rep. Ron Klein and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio potentially passing on the Senate race and taking a look at other statewide openings caused by the domino effect set of by Crist's departure. Rep. Kendrick Meek and state Sen. Dan Gelber are already in the race on the Democratic side.

  From what I've seen, Dan Gelber seems to be the solid progressive in this race. Check him out online HERE.

• CO-Sen: Public Policy Polling has some final thoughts on their poll from last week showing Michael Bennet posting less than stellar numbers:

  I am pretty sure Michael Bennet will get elected to a full term. His numbers aren't that great right now but he's done a good job of fundraising and when he gets to go on tv next year he should be able to convince the voters in the state, most of whom do not know a ton about him, that he deserves to stay. That's particularly helped by the very weak GOP candidate field. If a Bill Owens got into the race it would be a different story but it doesn't look like he's going to.

  -That said, I'm not sure why folks were so shocked that Bennet's numbers this week weren't setting the world on fire. Just because Colorado went well for the Democrats the last few election cycles doesn't mean it's all the sudden a deep blue state. Last summer we showed Ken Salazar's approval rating around 38 or 39 percent. Why would Bennet's be better when he's never run for office before?

  Fair enough.

• AR-Sen: Republican Tim Griffin keeps hinting at challenging Sen. Blanche Lincoln but just can't seem to pull the trigger. In a speech Friday, Griffin addressed one of the reasons he might not jump in against Lincoln:

  Griffin says there aren't enough Republicans in Arkansas to elect a senator, so the GOP has to find a candidate who can capture large blocks of votes from conservative Democrats.

  "Whoever we choose as our nominee to run against her must appeal to conservatives, regardless of party," Griffin told party loyalists at the Saline County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner.

  "There aren't enough Republicans in the state to get us elected. It's just a fact, it's a numbers game," Griffin said. Griffin is a former Republican Party operative and briefly served as an interim U.S. Attorney.

  One reason Griffin didn't address:

  Griffin, a former aide to ex-presidential adviser Karl Rove, was appointed as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas after Bud Cummins resigned his post. Cummins later said he was forced out by the Justice Department, and his firing was one of several that prompted a congressional inquiry of the dismissals.

  Griffin, who said he wouldn't seek Senate confirmation, resigned after six months. [...]

  Griffin has said he's prepared to address the firings controversy if it comes up as he mulls a run against Lincoln.

  Griffin is expected to make his decision known by "early summer."

• NY-Sen: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been getting acquainted with downstate voters as she ramps up her first statewide run. So far, she is getting some good reviews. One blogger wonders: is she being under-estimated?

  At the event, she touted the stimulus package, detailing Long Island's infrastructure projects. Gillibrand also urged the Island's business leaders to hire returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, who are re-entering the workforce during a recession.

  From there she traveled with Nassau exec Tom Suozzi, Long Island Farm Bureau head Joe Gergela and Pat Hooker, commissioner of New York State Agriculture and Markets to Martin Viette Nurseries in East Norwich to launch the "Grown on LI" campaign. [...]

  "She's becoming more visible and we're starting to see that she's about more than the Second Amendment, which has to give her rivals pause," said one prominent Democrat who doesn't plan to immediately support anyone in a primary. "As people meet her, they like her."

Anything else on the Senate front catch your eye?