Thursday, June 11, 2015
The Case for Parkinson
Here’s the case for Rep. Mark Parkinson as the favorite in Senate 23.
For starters, he has the conservative voting record that puts him closer to the Republican base, and therefore the likely Republican primary voters than Rep. Anne Zerr.
Even accepting that Zerr may have more financial support, Team Parkinson feels confident that they can win a one-on-one match-up if outspent 2:1. That’s because his message – and the contrast with Zerr – is easier to make with primary voters. He can point to several issues and draw a favorable distinction.
If a third candidate enters, then the math gets tricky for Parkinson, as the base primary voters gets split. However Team Parkinson refuses to accept the spoiler label. He’s already in the race, so the entrance of Bill Eigel, for example, makes Eigel the spoiler, not Parkinson, in this line of thinking. And it’s said that Eigel has yet to establish residency in the district.
Finally, Parkinson has a history of door-knocking in his previous races. And although it’s harder to grassroots a Senate district as opposed to a House district, Parkinson vows not to be outworked.
Game on, folks….
Aycock Follow-Up
I mentioned talk earlier in the week that Democratic donor Barry Aycock’s $5K contribution to newly appointed State Auditor Nicole Galloway might be meaningful since he hasn’t given any money yet to other Dem statewide candidates for 2016. I wrote, is it “a sign that Aycock is not satisfied with the current Dem leadership and may not be active in the 2016 campaign?”
I asked Aycock yesterday if folks were reading too much into his activity or lack of activity. His response: “First, Nicole Galloway is proving herself to be a great auditor and is earning support in her own right. However, it’s true that I am part of a growing group who are looking for leaders who aren’t comfortable with merely managing the decline of the Democratic Party in Missouri, but who are ready to engage with likeminded people around the state and begin making advances. I’ve found during her short time in statewide office Auditor Galloway to be the type of accessible, responsive, and engaged public servant we need to move our party and our state forward.”
The Talk on the Floor Leader Race
Republican observer: “All three candidates (Mike Cierpiot, Robert Cornejo, and Caleb Rowden) are way too confident and not taking into account how many liars we have in caucus…”
Parson Nabs SE Senators
Sen. Mike Parson’s campaign for governor announced endorsements from his fellow senators yesterday. The press release: State Senators Doug Libla, Gary Romine, and Wayne
Wallingford announced their endorsement of fellow Republican Senator Mike Parson’s campaign for Governor. “I truly believe Mike Parson is the best choice to be the Governor of Missouri…” said Senator Libla. “Mike’s strong record on the issues important to Missouri is why he has my support…” said Senator Romine. Senator Wallingford added, “Mike is a true conservative who is dedicated to serving the people of Missouri and protecting our values…”
Koenig Revs Up Senate 15 Campaign
Rep. Andrew Koenig writes on Facebook: My next campaign goal is to reach $100,000. This would show great support! Please consider coming out and supporting me in my efforts to run for State Senate! Thursday, June 25 at 7:00pm, 168 Spring Oaks Dr, Ballwin, MO 63011… Andrew will give a summary of the bills passed during session. The good the bad, and the fun! And our very unusual ending to our session this year.
Bits
New York Times looks at a divide in the United States between states where children are more likely to be raised in two-parent homes, and states where they are less likely. See it here.
Post Dispatch reports on the St. Louis City’s proposal to cut about 300 pages from its 430-page business code regulations. See it here.
A strange, head-scratching coda to the Scott Eckersley saga. Read it here.
Politico talks about how an anti-abortion bill will impact 2016, and mentions a possible primary for Senator Roy Blunt? See it here. Pull Quote: Backing the the 20-week bill could allow Republican senators such as John McCain of Arizona, Roy Blunt of Missouri and Portman to flex their conservative muscles in primary races.
Steve Harmon, son of former mayor Clarence Harmon, unveils his website for next summer’s St. Louis Circuit Attorney race. See it here.
Help Wanted
Sue Shear Institute seeks Assistant Director. “This position provides day-to-day oversight of the operations of the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life, and provides leadership for all of the Institute’s programs, especially those serving students, including the annual 21st Century Leadership Academy. This is a highly collaborative position that works in close cooperation with the Institute Director to engage campus departments, faculty and administrators, community organizations, elected and appointed officials, community leaders and the media to advance the Institute’s mission to increase women’s civic engagement…” See the ad here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
MO Chamber PAC Golf – Old Kinderhook Golf Course – Camdenton.
Sen. Ron Richard Bowling – Joplin – 6PM.
Sen. Doug Libla Golf – Ozark Ridge Golf Course – Poplar Bluff – lunch, tee at 1PM, dinner.
Lobbyists Registrations
Francis Flotron added The Flotron Organization; and deleted Francis Flotron, and Mike Malone.
Rodney Hubbard deleted Saveer Entertainment LLC
Kyle Piccola deleted Promo.
Irl Scissors deleted Chameleon Integrated Services.
$5K+ Contributions
Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $5,790 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.
MO Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from International Union UAW.
Parson for Governor - $5,100 from Stephens Pharmacy Inc.
Schmitt for Missouri - $10,000 from Noranda Aluminum Inc.
Romine for Senate - $10,000 from Noranda Aluminum Inc.
Slay for Mayor - $5,486 from The Highlands Golf Course.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc. - $10,000 from Friends of Jay Barnes.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Chuck Basye (57) and former speaker Steve Tilley (44).