MOScout Weekender: Poll Gives Eigel Early Lead - Suit Filed to Overturn SB 22 - Prop A Sticking Point - Hallway on A3 Reversal and more…

Exclusive… Survey St. Louis: Eigel Leads St. Charles County Exec Race

A poll by Survey St. Louis finds that former Sen. Bill Eigel starts the race as the front-runner…

If the election for St Charles County Executive were held today, and the candidates are Jason Law, Mike Elam, Bill Eigel and Nick Guccione, for whom would you vote?

Bill Eigel… 40%

Nick Guccione… 11.7%

Mike Elam… 10%

Jason Law… 1.7%

Undecided… 36.7%

See the full poll here.

What It Means

We’re very early in this race, but the poll shows that Eigel’s name ID propels him to the top of the pack.  Conversely, 83.6% of respondents said they didn’t know Jason Law.  He’ll need to start spending his considerable war-chest to introduce himself to voters.

Suit Filed Against SB 22

Sean Soendker Nicholson filed suit yesterday seeking to overturn SB 22 – one day after it was signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe. 

See the lawsuit here.  Of course, the attorney is SuperLawyer Chuck Hatfield.

Among the reasons the suit says SB22 is unconstitutional…

·       violates the single subject requirement of Article III, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution;

·       violates the clear title requirement of Article III, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution;

·       violates the guarantees of equal rights and opportunity of Article I, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution;

·       violates the prohibition on retroactive laws in Article I, Section 13 of the Missouri Constitution;

More on Prop A Change

With three weeks left, it’s likely that Republicans will take another run at changing the Proposition A’s sick leave mandate.

One concern for Republican negotiators is whether Dems are able to take a deal. They thought they had an agreement early Thursday morning, but at the last-minute Dems rejected the language of small business being defined as employees, rather than full-time employees.  Republicans found the objection disingenuous because that definition had been in the previous dozen drafts without any mention of concern.

·       Fear of a PQ in the coming week is one reason Dems may ultimately compromise.  But they should really fear a special session.  It could be called by Governor Mike Kehoe and narrowly written to fully gut the sick leave component without any meaningful input from superminority Democrats.

Remington/MOScout Poll

The poll will return next week.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Reversing A3

Lobbyists are divided over the question… “How likely is it that a Republican-written reversal of Amendment 3 is passed by the voters in 2026?”  19 replies…

RESULTS

1. Very likely… 15.8%

2. Somewhat likely… 36.8%

3. Somewhat unlikely… 15.8%

4. Very unlikely… 31.6%

Sample of Comments

·       Voters thought amendment 3 created rape and incest exceptions (the way it was advertised) and an effort to move the needle beyond those exceptions is likely to fail.

·       Doesn’t seem to be going well

·       [Very likely] Ballot candy

·       Passing a measure requires far more resources than defeating a measure, and the pro life community couldn’t kill - which the easier part of the two sides - and the pro choice will have the down hill slope with a loaded truck of $$.

Who Won the Week?

Early childhood advocates – Governor Mike Kehoe’s quick defense of the Head Start program in the face of possible federal funding cuts shows that they’ve got a stalwart ally in the governor’s mansion.

Freedom Caucus – They seem to have found their sweet spot this year.  They’re adding constructive amendments, passing legislation, and then when they need to object – like with an appointee this week – they’re not seen as obstructionist, but as principled.

Senate Dems – Survived another week bobbing and weaving.  Yes, Republicans are passing legislation, but Seate Dems are holding off some big pieces.  We’ll see what their endgame looks like.

Sam Alexander – Antes $20,000 into his state senate campaign.  The August 2026 primary is a long way off, but starting with a nice personal downpayment shows folks you’re serious.

Find a downloadable version here.

Schmitt to Papal Funeral

Press release: Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), the first Catholic Republican elected to the United States Senate by the state of Missouri, released the following statement announcing he will attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome alongside President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. George Hruza, Caleb Arthur, and Jennifer Bauer.

Sunday: Rep. Michael Davis, Tony Dugger, Ryan McKenna, Chris Vas, and Wiley Price IV.