MOScout Daily Update: Schmitt PAC Touts $2.8M War Chest - Fitz on Bailey Rivalry Talk - New Senate Committees - MEC Hold Up? and more…
Quick Friday update…
First in MOScout: Burgeoning Schmitt PAC
Fight for America PAC is proud to stand with Senator Eric Schmitt as it prepares for critical election battles in both 2026 and 2028.
With nearly $2.8 million in the bank, the PAC is well-positioned not only for his reelection campaign in Missouri but also to support efforts to maintain and grow the Republican Senate majority in the years ahead.
· Senator Schmitt has quickly emerged as a rising star in the U.S. Senate, earning a reputation as one of the chamber’s most reliable defenders of MAGA principles and a loyal ally of President Donald Trump. His leadership on issues like border security, limited government, and constitutional rights has made him a key figure in the conservative movement.
· Fight for America PAC is preparing to play a decisive role in the 2026 midterms by backing strong, America-first candidates in competitive races across the country. At the same time, the group remains committed to ensuring Senator Schmitt has the resources and support necessary to secure reelection in 2028 and continue his leadership in Washington.
Fitz: Stop Trying to Divide Us!
Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick: I do not like the commentary about Andrew Bailey and me. He absolutely was instrumental to getting Kim Gardner out of office, and I hope his other work on issues I've been involved in as well is successful. The current slate of Republican statewide officeholders are going to be working together for many years, and it's important for us to have good working relationships with each other. Comments like the ones published Thursday are not helpful to fostering those relationships.
· And… SOS Denny Hoskins agrees… The fact is, all of us statewides have to work together. I can’t do my job, especially on election IPs, without the help of the State Auditor and AG. We are not focused on who gets credit first, but making good policy and serving Missourians in our roll as Statewide elected officials.
New Senate Select Committees
Press release: Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, announced the formation of three new select committees tasked with examining key issues related to government accountability, property tax reform and state-funded diversity initiatives… Each committee is charged with producing a detailed report that includes policy recommendations, an evaluation of current practices and suggestions for legislative changes. Reports will be issued in alignment with Missouri’s conservative vision of limited, effective government.
Select Committee on Government Modernization and Transformation - This committee will examine the efficiency of Missouri’s administration of government, including the management of state properties and contracting processes.
· Sen. Brad Hudson, Chair
· Sen. O’Laughlin, Vice Chair
· Sen. Jamie Burger
· Sen. Tracy McCreery
· Sen. Steven Roberts
Select Committee on Property Taxes and the State Tax Commission - The committee will study the current climate of real and personal property taxation and evaluate the performance of the State Tax Commission.
· Sen. Sandy Crawford, Chair
· Sen. Hudson, Vice Chair
· Senator Joe Nicola
· Senator Rick Brattin
· Senator Maggie Nurrenbern
· Senator Stephen Webber
Select Committee on Equal Protection and DEI - This committee will review state funding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as defined in Executive Order 25-18 and examine whether current practices align with the principles of equal protection under the law.
Sen. Mike Moon, Chair
Sen. Brattin, Vice Chair
Sen. Nicola
Sen. Karla May
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington
Aune Predicts Prop A Constitutional IP
After Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation yesterday undoing the Prop A sick leave provision, House Minority Leader Ashley Aune predicted we haven’t seen the last of the issue.
“The governor’s action today demonstrates the absolute disdain Republicans have for working Missourians. But in stripping workers of their legal right to earned sick leave, the governor and his allies have probably guaranteed this issue will be back on the ballot next year as a constitutional amendment that will place worker protections beyond their reach.”
· Organized labor had warned Senate leaders during their staled talks over Prop A that a campaign to enshrine the benefit in the state constitution was a possibility.
Flummoxing MEC Appt Rules
One of the factors slowing the establishment of a quorum for the Missouri Ethic Commission appears to be the arcane statutory rules for making the appointments.
The Commission consists of 6 members. No more than 3 can belong to the same political party.
But then it gets a little more complicated…
· Although the governor appoints, and the Senate confirms, the names from which the governor can pick comes from the Democratic and Republican Committee in each congressional district. Because of Missouri’s clumpy redistricting, there are congressional districts in which the minority party isn’t particularly active – holding up this process.
Finally, and here’s where it can be a bit of a puzzle…
· Only one member may represent any single congressional district.
· And… from the three members appointed from even-numbered congressional districts, no more than two may be from the same party – and the same goes for odd-numbered districts.
Also…
· No member may serve beyond their term, and no person may serve more than one full four-year term.
Epstein Skeptics
MissouriNet reports that Senator Josh Hawley and Congressman Eric Burlison are among the skeptics that the Justice Department is coming clean on Jeffrey Epstein.
More on MCN
One MOScouter directed me to former Rep. Maria Chapelle Nadal’s Twitter-feed from January where she casts her accusations at Rita Days. See it here.
This could be one interesting campaign…
eMailbag on HRCC Fundraising
Always interesting when people credit the executive director of HRCC with good fundraising. I’ve always attributed that to the majority floor leader and an engaged speaker. Riley and Patterson are both outstanding fundraisers and, in my opinion, the reason that HRCC is set up so well right now.
OM to OS
Consultant Joe Lakin is rebranding his firm Objective Media to Objective Strategies. Press release: The rebrand comes as the firm continues expanding its unique cross-audience integration capabilities, serving as a single strategic partner for mid-market organizations that traditionally require managing multiple agencies with competing priorities and conflicting messages.
Objective Strategies specializes in solving critical growth challenges that commonly plague mid-market organizations, including restructuring inefficient operations that waste resources, providing scalable marketing capabilities for businesses without full marketing departments, and developing integrated strategies that effectively reach customers, business partners, and government stakeholders simultaneously.
Help Wanted
Missouri Senate seeks Resolution Writer. The Missouri Senate is seeking a skilled and motivated Resolutions Writer to support the communications efforts of the 34 senators that make up the body. This is a full-time in person position. This role requires a highly collaborative professional with significant writing experience. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, able to work effectively with people across the ideological spectrum and comfortable managing multiple projects in a fast paced work environment.
Lobbyist Registrations
Jeremy LaFaver and Salvatore Panettiere added Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors; and deleted Coalition for Community Solar Access.
$5K+ Contributions
Respect Missouri Voters PAC - $40,000 from Show Me Integrity Education Fund.
Respect Missouri Voters PAC - $13,566 from Show Me Integrity.
Respect Missouri Voters PAC - $51,434 from Show Me Integrity.
Respect Missouri Voters PAC - $7,000 from Suzanne DeSpelder.
The 1821 PAC - $15,000 from Advantage Capital Management Corp (New Orleans, LA).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Missouri Leadership PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $12,000 from Missouri American Water Company Employees Political Action Committee.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,005 from The Madison PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $12,250 from United Missouri PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Keri Ingle, Claudia Sands, Wayne Wallingford, Mary Ellen Ponder, and Dave Lenihan.
Saturday: Jay Ashcroft, Melissa Leach, and James W. Knowles III.
Sunday: Rep. Scott Cupps, Jeff Howell, Gary Marshall, Tim Meadows, Richard Brown, Jeff Craver, and Cory McMahon.
MOScout Schedule
No weekend edition coming up. Be back in the in-box on Monday.