Friday, January 15, 2016
Carnahan In
Word is that former Congressman Russ Carnahan is making calls and is entering the lieutenant governor’s race. He becomes the immediate front-runner of the Democratic primary which includes Rep. Tommie Pierson and Springfield doctor/lawyer Brad Bradshaw.
When rumors of this possible foray surfaced back in September I polled the race. See it here. It showed Carnahan with a commanding lead. He polled at 45% against Bradshaw’s 11% and Pierson’s 7% with the rest undecided.
With filing still a month away, it’s possible the entrance of Carnahan pushes Pierson to reconsider his bid. But one source says they see Bradshaw remaining in because he’s “personally interested in his ballot initiative and he sees the LG race as a part of that…”
For Dems Carnahan’s name ID and his experience in politics make him an ideal down-ballot candidate for their statewide slate. He won’t require a lot of resources yet he'll tie up the Republicans and keep the seat in play.
All Eyes on McCaskill
As St. Louis looks to win the relocation of the National Geospatial Agency (NGA), all eyes are on U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill. The hopes are that she has the wherewithal to bring home the $1.6 billion federal facility…
Early Numbers
Kinder
Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder announced that he’d raised $300K in the last quarter. From his email blast: Ours is a statewide campaign like no other. There’s no billionaire bankrolling me, I’m not a self-funding millionaire, nor do I have a bicoastal network of liberal donors and venture capitalists. We’re successful because of the contributions of hard working Missourians – so I’m beholden only to you – my supporters. We’re running the most efficient campaign possible. There are no consultants telling me what to do, and you won’t see them on my payroll. I’m guided by my supporters and the conservative principles that bind us… I’ve faced tough races before – I’ve been outraised and outspent – but I’ll never be outworked. You can trust me to win in August and November…
Schmitt
It’s said that Sen. Eric Schmitt will be announcing another strong quarter, pushing his cash on-hand to near the $2.1 million mark. With a month until filing and no Republican opponent announced, Schmitt’s play to build a massive warchest appears to have worked in dissuading a primary.
SAB Extension Coming
Looks for the State Board of Education to extend the tenure of St. Louis City’s Special Administrative Board (SAB). It was last extended in 2014, and currently is in place until June of this year. It’s thought that St. Louis Public School Superintendent Kelvin Adams would like another extend to be assured of stability in the system’s governance as he continues his efforts to improve the district.
Behind the Sprinting Start
One observer thinks that an important factor driving the early activity in the legislature is how last session ended. There were many issues teed up and ready for passage in the final week last May which fell victim to the twin explosions of right to work PQ in the Senate, and John Diehl’s scandal and resignation.
Now some of those bills are being quickly shepherded through the legislative process because legislators feel they were previously vetted.
KC/STL Earning Tax
Sens. Will Kraus and Kurt Schaefer are charging ahead in their push to eliminate the earnings tax from Kansas City and St. Louis. KCStar’s Jason Hancock reports on the KC business community opposition to their plan. See it here. The move may make fundraising in the two donor-rich areas of the state even harder for the Republican statewide candidates. And may only increase their dependence on Rex Sinquefield for financing their primary campaigns.
Help Wanted
Missouri Charter Public School Association seeks Director of Development & Communications. “Oversees & implements all aspects of fundraising, including but not limited to, Individual Giving, Major Giving, Corporate & Foundation Giving & Government Grants; Create, maintain and update the Annual Fund Development Plan, including developing objectives and tactics to meet year end goals, setting timelines, and assigning responsibility… Manages social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn or other channels as applicable…” See it here.
$5K+ Contributions
AGC of MO PAC - $8,350 from Twehous Excavating Company Inc.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Kansas City Southern Rail PAC.
Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $6,246 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.
Progress KC PAC - $50,000 from Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Brendan Cossette, former Rep. Esther Haywood, and Virvus Jones.
Tomorrow: Rep. Don Gosen, and former Rep. Mary Still.
Sunday: Sen. Mike Kehoe.
Monday: Reps. Shawn Rhoads and Bill Lant, Carl Bearden, Robert Knodell, and Bob May.
MOScout News
Today is the filing deadline for the January quarters. So there will be a special Daily Update tomorrow with a run-down of the numbers. But no Weekly Poll this weekend. And I’m off Monday (MLK Day) – as is the legislature. Be back Tuesday, and see everyone on Wednesday at Nixon’s State of the State address. Thanks!