MOScout Daily Update: Plotting an Eigel Primary? - Lavender Kicks Off - Page's Cone of Silence - Brown Trial Set and more...
Next Move on Senate GOP Primary Chessboard?
One reader, considering the recent huge infusion of cash from David Steward to CL PAC in order to influence Republican Senate primaries, sees the logical next step: a primary in Senate 23! That’s how folks worried about the Conservative Caucus will strike back. The thinking:
· Sen. Bill Eigel won a by a slim margin (less than 400 votes) four year against Anne Zerr.
· Eigel’s willingness to take unpopular stances in the Senate have created political enemies who would delight in seeing him in a tough re-elect.
· Even if the primary challenge is unsuccessful, it could have the benefit of redirecting energy and attention away from expanding the Conservative Caucus and toward defending Eigel.
· Finally, “Missouri has no shortage of political operatives capable of getting this done.”
Follow-Up on Possible MCFG Picks
Yesterday I wrote about who Missouri Club for Growth may support in Republican Senate primaries based on stances of education policy.
One reader who follows the issue closely added a few thoughts…
· In Senate 25, the choice is not clear because Rep. Jeff Shawan is also a supporter of education reform.
· In Senate 33, Rep. Robert Ross is the “clear choice there” for MCFG to pick.
And
The current consensus among Jeff City insiders seems to be that CL PAC is probably passing on Senate 29 rather than backing Rep. Mike Moon against “establishment” David Cole.
Driving the Night… Lavender Kick-Off
Rep. Deb Lavender will kick-off her Senate 15 campaign tonight at the Jefferson Grill in Kirkwood (5:30PM).
Lavender is challenging Sen. Andrew Koenig.
· Lavender outraised Koenig last quarter, and this event may power her October quarter to another strong performance.
· However, it’s expected that Republicans will come to Koenig’s aid and he’ll face not shortage of resources.
Greitens Talk
I find this all crazy, but the Greitens talk persists…
· Last week, I had one person tell me they heard that Eric Greitens has $7 million in commitments to run.
· Yesterday, someone said they’d heard the figure was $8 million.
· Some have suggested that these are rumors planted by folks trying to make Governor Mike Parson itchy about the future. But that’s not my impression.
· One source notes that one of Greitens’ biggest supporters has been accused of sexual misconduct so would they be turned off by Greitens’ infidelity?
Page Proposes “Cone of Slience”
St. Louis Business Journal reports…. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Monday asked the County Council to pass legislation banning bidders or lobbyists from contacting county officials during the contracting process for government work. The move follows federal law enforcement officials' recent disclosure that lobbyist John Bardgett was in contact with former County Executive Steve Stenger's chief of staff, Bill Miller, about a public contract with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Miller and Stenger were both sentenced to prison in the federal corruption probe. Bardgett was not accused of wrongdoing.
"Pay-to-play is dead in St. Louis County, but we have to make sure it never comes back," Page said in a news release. "This Cone of Silence legislation is one important step in preventing the return of pay-to-play activity and restoring trust in County government."
· MOScouter: Smart play by Page. Seems like a no-brainer considering similar black out periods are already in place at the state level.
SNAP Challenge
In addition to Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Rep. Hannah Kelly is also doing Empower Missouri’s SNAP Challenge. It involves conforming one’s food budget to the same allotment as food stamp recipients.
Follow Hannah’s challenge on Twitter here.
And MEC’s here.
Brown Trial Set
The trial of Jared Brown, chief of staff to Sen. Justin Brown, has been set for October 29. Brown is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, and peace disturbance stemming from an altercation last Spring at Spectator’s Bar in Jefferson City.
According to Casenet, it will be a bench trial.
Help Wanted
Department of Revenue seeks Legislative Coordinator. “Will be responsible for planning, organizing and coordinating state and federal legislative matters relating to the Division of Taxation programs and works closely with the senior staff to establish legislative priorities. Duties include preparation of public information; legislative research and technical preparation, analysis and tracking; testifying before legislative committees; as well as special federal, state or interagency projects. Work also involves serving as an educator to public and private interests to properly inform them of the purposes of programs and legislative initiatives. Work may also involve providing professional and administrative support, and the completion of assigned special projects…” See it here.
New Committees
Megan Green formed an exploratory committee (Megan Green For St. Louis).
Vicki Englund formed a candidate committee (Citizens For Vicki Lorenz Englund) to run for State Treasurer as a Democrat.
$5K+ Contributions
Old Drum Conservative PAC - $25,000 from CL PAC.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $12,500 from Charter Communications.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from CFM Insurance.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.
MO Opportunity PAC - $15,000 from Ameren Missouri.
MO Opportunity PAC - $15,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
MO Opportunity PAC - $25,000 from CL PAC.
UAW REGION 5 MIDWEST STATES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC) (MO) - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.
Believe in Life and Liberty - BILL PAC - $10,000 from Laredo Hospitality Management LLC a subsidiary of Illinois Cafe & Service Company.
Lobbyist Registrations
Gamble and Schlemeier deleted Missouri Rising, Autism Speaks Inc., and Air Evac.
Lee Ann Alexander deleted Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Don Calloway and Jerry Burch.