Thursday, December 31, 2015
Where the Money Race Stands
Today’s the last day of the quarter, though they’ll be checks being reported probably into the beginning of next week. Here’s where the $5K+ money race stands for the statewide candidates this quarter. Their previous quarter’s cash on-hand number is next to it. Of course some candidates – Brunner and Bradshaw, for example – are expected to self-fund. Others – Hanaway and Randles – have received seven figures from Rex Sinquefield, and might expect more from him when it necessitates. We’ll see….
Governor
John Brunner - $65,000 - ($256,562)
Eric Greitens - $651,000 - ($2,284,943)
Catherine Hanaway - $20,000 - ($1,549,939)
Peter Kinder - $35,000 - ($275,973)
Chris Koster - $773,000 - ($5,019,644)
Lieutenant Governor
Brad Bradshaw - $5,000 - ($463,777)
Mike Parson - $70,000 - ($907,188)
Tommie Pierson - $5,000 - ($23,941)
Bev Randles - $0 - ($906,786)
Treasurer
Judy Baker - $20,000 - ($24,295)
Pat Contreras - $5,000 - ($76,240)
Eric Schmitt - $10,000 - ($1,957,679)
Secretary of State
Jay Ashcroft - $70,000 - ($88,655)
Will Kraus - $0 - ($614,990)
Robin Smith -$10,000 - ($81,669)
Attorney General
Josh Hawley - $70,000 - ($717,975)
Teresa Hensley - $25,000 - ($151,160)
Kurt Schaefer - $520,000 - ($1,485,926)
Jake Zimmerman - $0 - ($1,064,217)
Readers’ Poll Results: Legislators
Most Effective Leader 2015
Todd Richardson 32.33%
Ron Richard 23.31%
Quiet but Effective Leadership
Gina Walsh 42.86%
Dan Brown 27.73%
Legislator to Call When You Need to Pass a Bill (House)
Caleb Jones 45.31%
Elijah Haahr 25.00%
Legislator to Call When You Need to Pass a Bill (Senate)
Mike Parson 35.20%
Eric Schmitt 28.00%
Best on Floor (House)
Jay Barnes 48.82%
Kevin Engler 33.07%
Best on Floor (Senate)
Kurt Schaefer 33.33%
Scott Sifton 31.62%
Most Reliable Quote Machine
Maria Chappelle-Nadal 50.43%
Mike Moon 22.22%
Most Fearless
Ryan Silvey 40.35%
Jamilah Nasheed 32.46%
Freshman Legislator of the Year
Bob Onder 49.55%
Jill Schupp 24.32%
House Freshman Most Likely to be Speaker Someday
Travis Fitzwater 35.14%
Kirk Mathews 19.82%
Most Likely to be Governor Someday
Todd Richardson 35.20%
Eric Schmitt 16.80%
End-of-the-Year Readers’ Poll: Jeff City
And finally, a short poll about Jefferson City. Take it here.
Time to Govern
Real ID will be the first test case for Speaker Todd Richardson and Pro Tem Ron Richard. Do they continue with the fictional bogeyman of Real ID as new Big Brother monitoring system? If so, they’ll risk gifting Missourians the huge inconvenience of having an ID work-around to get into federal buildings, and later getting on place. Or do they do the common sense thing and just repeal the law?
When you use politics to play on people’s fears and inner demons, it works wonders in the short term. But in the longer term it distorts your ability to govern a system built on compromise at all levels, not to mention the idea of protecting minority opinions and rights.
With Real ID, leaders allowed the fantasy that it would somehow lead to computer chips in the brain to play on people’s fears and score cheap and easy points.
It’s fast food politics – it’s cheap and easy – and it tastes good for a while. But over time, it will lead to more problems that are a lot harder to fix.
Obama Phones Nixon
Travel pool report #5: POTUS call this morning to Missouri's governor. Here is a statement from Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, concerning the call:
This morning the President phoned Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to receive a briefing on the state’s response to severe weather and to offer the Administration’s continued support in the coming days. The President thanked the Governor for his leadership during this challenging time, and expressed condolences on behalf of the First Lady and himself for those who lost their lives as a result of the flooding in Missouri. The President told the Governor that he has directed his staff to monitor the situation closely, and to coordinate with the Governor’s team on any federal assistance that may be needed.
Bits
St. Louis County municipality Sunset Hills still does the book by hand? See it here.
Attorney General Chris Koster’s email ask starts with BBQ? “If you're like me, you're probably getting excited for the New Year and thinking of resolutions to make, like enjoying more Missouri BBQ. Yep, that's one of my resolutions this year. I'm going find the best BBQ spots while out on the campaign trail in 2016 and enjoy each and every one of them -- from St. Louis to Dexter to Kansas City and all spots in between.... If you think that's a good goal for the New Year, then chip in $5 or more before the fundraising deadline tomorrow…”
Jo Mannies interviews Governor Jay Nixon as he eyes his final year in office. See it here.
Bank robber says he committed crime so he’d get caught and get healthcare… See it here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Michael Butler New Year’s Eve Party – Fuse Advertising, 802 N. 1st St. – St. Louis.
Lobbyists Registrations
Julian Malasi added Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Todd Richardson - $10,000 from Supporters of Health Research and Treatments.
New Approach Missouri - $25,000 from Jae Yoon.
Supporters of Paul Prevo - $22,000 from Paul Prevo.
New Approach Missouri - $10,000 from Jeff Schrag.
New Approach Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri Cannabis Industry.
New Approach Missouri - $25,000 from Health Grow LLC.
New Approach Missouri - $10,000 from Raymond Crespo.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Mike Moon, former Rep. Kate Meiners, Joshua Hawley, Carol Kemna, Chris Krehmeyer, and Ashley Jost.
Friday: Rep. Bill Otto (60), Pat Contreras and former Rep. Clint Tracy.
Saturday: Rep. Lyle Rowland, and Brittany Burke.
Sunday: Former Sen. Dan Clemens.
MOScout News
I’m going slacking… No Update tomorrow; No Weekly Summary or “Who Won the Week,” and no Weekly Poll this weekend. See you in 2016 when we’ll start it all back up again.
P.S.
Don’t be stupid tonight!! I won’t either.