Thursday, July 26, 2012
Richard Drops Floor Leader Bid
Word is spreading that Sen. Ron Richard has dropped his bid for Floor Leader. According to the rumor he informed Sen. Mike Parson of his decision. Parson is now expected to take the spot next session, but of course the Senate has shown its mercurial stripes before…
Here’s some other chairmanship expectations:
Kurt Schaefer – Budget.
Mike Kehoe – Transportation.
Eric Schmitt – Economic Development.
David Pearce – Education. Should Pearce lose his primary, it looks like Sen. Brian Nieves.
Bob Dixon – Judiciary. (Interesting to note, Dixon’s not an attorney. In fact, term limits takes out four Republican lawyers: Sens. Jason Crowell, Jack Goodman, Rob Mayer and Luann Ridgeway. There are none coming in. If Rep. Scott Sifton win in Senate 1, Dems will actually have more attorneys than Republicans despite their deep minority status.)
John Lamping – Financial.
Ron Richard – Fiscal Oversight.
Rob Schaaf – Health.
Brian Munzlinger – Agriculture.
Jim Lembke (assuming he wins) – Government Accountability.
Scott Rupp and Brad Lager (assuming they lose their statewide bids) would presumably stay where they are at Small Business/Insurance and Commerce.
That would leave General Laws open – perhaps for Jay Wasson. But if Pearce were to lose, that might go to Nieves.
Crowell’s odd Veteran Affairs, Urban Issues, Pensions, Emerging Issues could be broken up and reconfigured.
Another Day, Another Non-Profit
Missourians Against Higher Utility Rates has been the committee which has been hammering away in Senate 5 (four mailers so far for Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford) and Senate 31 (against Rep. Ed Emery).
Missourians Against High Rates has been basically dormant in since 2009 when Noranda funded it with $79K. Most of that went to Rod Jetton’s consulting firm.
This time around it seems that an effort is being made to cover the paper trail. As is now the fashion for deep pockets which wish to conceal their identity, a non-profit was created. Missourians for Low Energy Costs organized less than a week ago. And from behind that cowardly curtain $275,000 to Missourian Against Higher Rates.
Jami Hits JMO on Noranda Connection
Rep. Jamilah Nasheed is calling this money “dirty.” See it here. This race may become more confrontational in the final eleven days…
Ad Parade
Bill Stouffer released his television ad. It carries his dog-themed campaign. Duke has been featured in robo-calls, billboards and now the TV ad. See it here.
Teresa Hensley released her TV ad, which touts her experience as a prosecutor. See it here.
Peter Kinder starts a radio commercial which plays on the upcoming Olympic games. “If the London Olympics had a truth-twisting medal, Brad Lager would take gold…”
July Quarters
The final two primary candidates reported their July Quarters (8Day numbers are due Monday). Rep. Steve Webb raised $12,925, and oddly spent nothing, finishing the quarter with $15,506. Courtney Curtis raised $2,572; spent $1,722 and has $3,894 on-hand.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends for Munzlinger - $25,000 from David Humphreys.
Taxpayers in Support of Public Education - $7,500 from Missouri School Administrators PAC.
Citizens for Hendrickson Committee - $7,800 from Michael Hendrickson.
Freedom PAC - $21,000 from The Adam Smith Foundation.
Committee to Elect Reed - $15,000 from NAYR Entertainment.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 from William Holekamp.
Missourians Against Higher Utility Rates - $275,000 from Missourians for Low Energy Costs.
Friends of Bill Stouffer - $45,000 from The Lamar Companies.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Annette Read (50), Michael McMillan (41) and Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (62).