Monday, June 27, 2016
Nixon Vetoes Gun Bill
Jason Hancock reports that Governor Jay Nixon vetoed SB 656 last night. That’s Sen. Brian Munzlinger’s bill “gun bill” which passed at the end of session and loosens conceal carry requirements. See it here.
Pull Quote: Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed legislation Sunday night that would eliminate the requirement to get a permit to legally walk around in public with concealed guns. The wide-ranging gun bill would have also implemented a controversial “stand your ground” law, which says people no longer have a duty to try to retreat before using lethal force if they think their life is in danger. It would expand the castle doctrine to permit invited guests in a home to use deadly force on intruders. And for those who still want to get a concealed-carry permit, the bill creates a lifetime version that never expires…
In a release announcing his decision to veto the bill, Nixon pointed to opposition to the legislation from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police…
The Numbers
The Senate vote was 24-8 on straight party lines, and the House vote was 114-36 with a dozen absentees, among whom you would normally associate pro-gun positions. Thus the initial glance seems to favor an override.
However the opposition of law enforcement organization – if properly mobilized- could be a game changer. We’ll see if Nixon’s team makes a real effort to flip folks by telling them not to make the job of policemen and women harder.
Rex Money Buoys His Slate
On Friday three of the statewide candidates who have received big boosts from Rex Sinquefield in the past reported new infusions from the retired billionaire.
Catherine Hanaway just a tad shy of $900,000 from two Sinquefield committees (Missourians for Excellence in Government and Grown Missouri); Sen. Kurt Schaefer received a little less than $500,000 from two Sinquefield committees (Missourians for Excellence in Government and Great St. Louis); and Bev Randles received an in-kind contribution in the way of television commercials worth a little under $200,000 from another Sinquefield committee Missouri Club for Growth PAC.
This brings Hanaway’s total haul from Sinquefield to the $2.75 million ballpark so far this cycle.
Randles MCFG Coordination
Meanwhile the contribution to Randles from Missouri Club for Growth shows how the Sinquefield PAC and Randles campaign team appear to operating in close coordination. One observer notes that Randles’ TV ad came off the air just as MO Club’s ads went up. The MO Growth Club ads were negative against Randles’ primary opponent, Sen. Mike Parson. By using the Club to hit Parson, it keeps Randles clean from the hit.
Randles campaign manager is Todd Abrajano. His wife, Melanie Abrajano, is the executive director of Missouri Coub for Growth where Randles used to be chairwoman.
If this were a federal campaign, such coordination would be illegal. But in Missouri – without contribution limits – it’s legal as long as the MO Growth Club reports its activities as in-kind contributions to the campaign.
Humphreys Backs RTW-Friendly Sens
David Humphreys sent a fresh $50K to both Rep. Andrew Koenig, running against former Rep. Rick Stream in Senate 15, and Bill Eigel, running against Rep. Anne Zerr in Senate 23.
Rex and Humphreys
Humphreys and Sinquefield have backed different candidates on the statewide ballot. (Humphreys is backing Peter Kinder while Sinquefield is behind Catherine Hanaway; Sinquefield is also supporting Sen. Kurt Schaefer for attorney general and Sen. Will Kraus for secretary of state, but Humphreys is contributing to their primary rivals, Josh Hawley and Jay Ashcroft; and Humphreys also was behind Sen. Dan Brown’s brief aborted campaign for state treasurer against Sinquefield-back Sen. Eric Schmitt.)
However they’re on the same side of these Senate primary battles.
Former Speaker Tim Jones is at the helm of Sinquefield’s Missouri Club for Growth (to which Sinquefield has contributed $1.7 million this year), and they’ve endorsed Koenig, Eigel and Sen. Ed Emery, three right-wing Republican candidates who have all received money from Humphreys as well.
Rallo Exits RYH4K
The press release: As everyone knows, we wouldn't have gotten where we are without our amazing champion, Linda Rallo. She will be transitioning back to the Alliance for Childhood Education, where she will continue to serve as a relentless advocate for quality education.
We are in the home stretch, and we never could have made it this far without the heart and strength of Linda. She has dedicated the past two and a half years of her life to ensuring RYH4K made it to the ballot… Please join me in thanking Linda…
Erin Brower,
Board Chair, Raise Your Hand for Kids
Kraske: Ashcroft’s a Non-Voter
KC Star’s Steve Kraske reports that Republican secretary of state candidate John “Jay” Ashcroft didn’t vote regularly at the turn of the century. See it here.
Pull Quote: Jay Ashcroft didn’t vote in that primary featuring his dad back in August 2000, and he didn’t vote in Missouri presidential primaries in 2000, 2004 or 2012. And he didn’t vote in the big Republican primary election in August 2008 when Republican candidates for governor Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman squared off or the August 2004 primary election when that controversial constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman was on the ballot. Altogether, he didn’t vote in seven big elections between 2000 and 2012. And here’s the rub: As secretary of state, he would be the state’s chief elections officer overseeing polling operations statewide.
MEC Dismisses Hawley Complaint
The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Josh Hawley that he used two non-profits as campaign vehicles before he formally declared his candidacy for attorney general. See the ruling here.
Wright Jones Appeals Again
Former Sen. Robin Wright Jones has appealed to the Supreme Court $270K fine the MEC imposed on her for campaign finance violations. After the MEC ruling, she appeal first to the Administrative Hearing Commission, then to the circuit court. This is her final appeal. We’ll see…
Tweet of the Day
@MariaChappelleN: Hey @lacyclay, we should have multiple debates. After 16 yrs in Congress & 8 yrs in the Senate, this should be easy for you to agree to. Rt?
And
Don’t forget 4-term St. Louis School Board member Bill Haas is in that primary as well. See his website here. (Go to www.votehaas.com to find out more and contribute. Please note: when you go to contribute, the paypal account linked to my checking out for this race says "Bill Haas for State Representative". That was my campaign two years ago. I've updated my campaign account and am working with paypal to update the name. I apologize for any confusion. Be assured, the money is going towards my 2016 Congressional campaign.)
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Anne Zerr Golf – The Falls – O’Fallon.
Rep. Jack Bondon Reception – Loch Lloyd Country Club – Belton – 5PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
David Sweeney added QC Financial Services.
$5K+ Contributions
Hill for Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri Club for Growth Political Action Committee.
Citizens to Elect Mike O’Mara - $15,000 from UA Political Education Committee.
Supporters of Health Research and Treatments - $50,250 from William Danforth.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Mike Hannegan.
Bill Kidd for State Representative - $15,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
Missourians for Randles - $191,850 from Missouri Club for Growth
Greitens for Missouri - $25,000 from Lawrence Carrico.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Dennis Jones.
Hanaway for Governor Inc - $298,638 from Missourians for Excellence in Government.
Hanaway for Governor Inc - $596,464 from Grow Missouri.
Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from Kenneth McClain.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $20,000 from Rosalita’s Cantina Management Group LLC.
Koster for Missouri - $5,001 from Pfizer Inc.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Roger Gott.
Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer Attorney General - $246,123 from Missourians for Excellence in Government.
Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer Attorney General - $248,764 from Great St. Louis.
Daniels for Judge - $49,000 from Deborah Daniels.
Friends of Andrew Koenig - $50,000 from David Humphreys.
Citizens for Ed Emery - $20,000 from David Humphreys. Eigel for Missouri - $50,000 from David Humphreys.
Eigel for Missouri - $5,001 from Hegeman for Senate.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to May Scheve Reardon, Ross Branson, and Bob Hilgemann.