Monday, September 25, 2017
Q&A #1: Why Won’t Wasinger Clear The Field?
Missouri Republicans have long grumbled at their often counter-productive primaries. Now Attorney David Wasinger steps into the auditor vacuum left by Speaker Todd Richardson. Yet – despite his $500K deposit into his campaign account, no Republicans I talk to think that Wasinger will avoid a Republican primary.
There are several reasons. First, there’s no shortage of ambitions within the Missouri Republican Party. One of the strengths and weaknesses of huge legislative majorities is a large farm team. This – together with term limits – creates an almost unending supply of candidates for higher office.
Without term limits, a Sen. Mike Kehoe might settle into the floor leader position – or maybe more likely the chairmanship of the Transportation Committee – and stay there for a decade or two leaving a legislative legacy. Instead he’s mentioned anytime a statewide office is up for grabs.
The second reason is Wasinger himself. Although he doesn’t have a voting record and should be able to define himself as he wants, the talk in Republican circles is that he’s not their kind of conservative.
The evidence: He’s a trial attorney which brings skepticism because many trial attorneys lean Democratic; he was appointed by Governor Matt Blunt to the Mizzou Board of Curators as a Democrat; and one tipster writes, “his wife -- St. Louis County Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger… has long been viewed as a RINO by many members of the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee. Making it worse, she has become even more supportive this year of St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, a Democrat who is especially disliked by the Republicans. David Wasinger could have a problem getting endorsements from Republican townships in his home county….”
But
Remember – so far he’s the only candidate out there. You can’t beat someone with no one, so until Rep. Paul Curtman or former Sen. Kurt Schaefer makes there move, it’s Wasinger’s field to go sell himself to the GOP.
Senate 8: Suit to Kick Turk Off Ballot
Insurgent Independent (read: Republican) candidate in Senate 8, Jacob Turk, blasts his email list with the news just after midnight….
Republicans file a lawsuit to get Jacob Turk off the ballot. The hearing is tomorrow, Monday the 25th, at 1:30p in Jefferson City at the Cole County Courthouse in front of Judge Green.
Well, we all just worked very, very hard to get my name on the ballot with hundreds of citizens taking part involving hundreds of volunteer hours. The Jackson County Election Board did their due diligence in assuring I had enough signatures and so did the Secretary of State before certifying my name to be on your ballot November 7th.
Now Mary Potter, an elected Republican committeewoman from Blue Springs, and Rand Hodgson, an elected Republican committeeman from Oak Grove, and their lawyers, Lowell Pearson and Ryan Harding, from Husch Blackwell filed a suit to take away the only candidate nominated directly by the voters of the 8th State Senate District… I don't know about you but I am tired of these games trying to eliminate you and yours from the political process….
First in MOScout: MEC Dismissed Complaint Against KCATA
The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint that filed against Robbie Makinen and the board of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The complaint was that Makinen “used [his] position as a board member for the KCATA to obtain [his] current position as CEO for KCATA.” The MEC concluded that it lacked jurisdiction because “KCATA is not a political subdivision for purposes of Missouri conflict of interest laws…” See it here.
And
Orlando Watson, an unsuccessful candidate for University City alderman was fined $8,108 for a whole bunch of finance reporting violations. See it here.
And the MEC dismissed a complaint against Rep. Derek Greier. See it here.
Protests Continue
The mighty Jason Rosenbaum writes about the continuing protests in the St. Louis region following the Stockley verdict. See it here.
Pull Quote: It wasn’t so much of a protest as a vigil on Sunday as demonstrators gathered at the Justice Center in Clayton to wait for the release of the people arrested Saturday at the protest in the Galleria. By 5 p.m., all 22 of those arrested had been released… St. Louis County Police issued charges to seven of the 22 people arrested Saturday mainly for rioting or resisting arrest. The other 15 who weren’t charged by the Prosecuting Attorney's office were released, county police said, and referred to the Richmond Heights Municipal Court at a later time… Eventually, the protesters left the Justice Center and took the demonstrate all throughout downtown Clayton. They blocked several intersections throughout the business district as police stood off to the side in riot gear but let protesters move on… Before demonstrators headed to Clayton, some reflected on how they met in Ferguson for the first time since Stockley’s acquittal. Some people protesting now were heavily influenced by the movement that arose after Michael Brown’s 2014 shooting death in Ferguson…
Greitens in Asia
Friday’s Press Release: Governor Eric Greitens and First Lady Sheena Greitens will depart tomorrow for a trade mission to China and South Korea. The trip will include meetings with government officials, business executives, and civic and educational partners in Beijing, Shanghai, and Seoul. The Governor and First Lady chose Asia for their first trade mission because of the great opportunity that the state of Missouri has in the Asia-Pacific to increase trade, promote job-creating business growth, attract investment to Missouri, and create educational and cultural ties… See it here.
Bits
Missouri was NOT among the 21 states whose election authorities were targeted by Russian hackers. See it here.
Governor Greitens appointed Bob Brinkmann and Terry Ecker were appointed to the State Highways and Transportation Commission. “Brinkmann is the CEO of R.G. Brinkmann Company, a general contracting and construction management firm he started in 1984…
Ecker is President of Ecker Farms, Inc. He served as Agriculture Liaison for Congressman Sam Graves Office…”
Help Wanted
House seeks Publications Specialist. “The House of Representatives, Publications Office is accepting resumes or applications for the position of Publications Specialist I/II in the House Operations Division. This non-partisan staff position is responsible for formatting, incorporating amendments, and proofreading of House bills; processing the House Journal and other documents pertinent to the legislative process; designing, formatting, and editing of House publications; and other miscellaneous publications related duties…. The salary range for the position begins at $2,314 per month with actual starting salary commensurate with applicable education and experience…” See it here.
Missouri Health Care for All seeks Policy Director. “The Policy Director will advance MHCFA’s policy priorities by managing relationships with coalition members, elected officials, regulatory department heads, and other health policy stakeholders. The Policy Director will be responsible for developing these relationships, educating elected officials on MHCFA’s health policy priorities, representing MHCFA and the grassroots community at hearings, developing model legislation, and tracking key health policy developments, trends, challenges and opportunities at the local, state and federal level….” See it here.
Missouri Department of Conservation seeks Federal Aid Specialist. “Responsible for the financial accounting for all federal grants, cooperative agreements and contracts and significantly involved throughout all grant management activities (pre-award, period of performance, final reporting and post-grant closure responsibilities)… Salary: $40,548 - $71,532 a year…”
New Committees
Living Well PAC was formed. Lindsay Roepe is the treasurer.
The Time to Renew Committee was formed. It’s a campaign committee to support the extension of a city sales tax in Lebanon Missouri for ten more years, from January 1 2019 to January 1 2029. Its treasurer is Kevin Allen of Lebanon Missouri.
Barbara Washington formed a candidate committee (Washington4mo23) to run as a Democrat in the special election in House 23. Randy Dunn resigned earlier this year.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable calendar:
LG Mike Parson Golf – Silo Ridge Golf Course – Bolivar – 12:30 Tee.
Sen. Wayne Wallingford Golf – Dalhousie Golf Club – Cape Girardeau – Noon Tee.
$5K+ Contributions
Mantovani for STL - $10,000 from Chase McKeague.
Missouri Growth PAC - $18,750 from Rex Sinquefield.
Missouri AG PAC - $18,750 from Rex Sinquefield.
Missouri Senior PAC - $18,750 from Rex Sinquefield.
Missouri C PAC - $18,750 from Rex Sinquefield.
KC Transportation Transit and Tourism Committee (KC3T) - $25,000 from Husch Blackwell LLP.
MO-DSV PAC - $25,000 from Missouri Health Care Association.
RQC PAC - $25,000 from Missouri Health Care Association.
Find the Cures - $28,500 from Bradley Bradshaw.
Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri 2665 PAC Fund - $7,700 from Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Bryan Spencer (the big 5-0), Jeff Roe, Katie Reichard, Gordon Reel, and Mark Schwartz.