Monday, October 17, 2016
SEALs for Hiding the Truth
Remember the SEALs for the Truth? It was a PAC that popped up and gave $2 million to Eric Greitens’ campaign in the primary. There was no Missouri filing so no one could say who gave the money. Greitens refused to say who gave him the money, vaguely claiming it was some SEALs. The Missouri Ethics Commission OKed the hiding of donor identities, saying that since they were filing federally it was all kosher.
Well, their FEC filing over the weekend should have listed donor(s). Instead, predictably, it told us nothing of who actually donated the $2 million to Greitens. It listed one generic sounding corporation as the sole donor… American Policy Coalition Inc. (See their website/page here?)
According to a Google search it appears that this is American Policy. And the lawyer listed on the document is apparently known for helping people hide who their donors are.
Hopefully they’re not any actual SEALs involved in such a blatant violate of the spirit of the campaign finance laws. Let’s hope Greitens is lying about that, and this is just old-fashioned political subterfuge.
Like this election cycle couldn’t be anymore discouraging and disappointing…
MOScout Poll
In Senate 1, the Weekly MOScout poll found that Sen. Scott Sifton improved on his lead from last month and now has 51% of the vote compared to Republican Randy Jotte’s 33%. See the full results here. (See September’s Senate 1 poll here.)
Inside the crosstabs (which are necessarily less reliable because they have a much smaller sample size) House 94 remains a true swing district. That’s where Rep. Cloria Brown is trying to hold off former Rep. Vicki Englund. According to this poll, Donald Trump is leading Hillary Clinton in that House district 49% to 41%, but Chris Koster is beating Eric Greitens 54% to 35%.
And
See Sifton’s first TV ad here. It has the mother of a child describing their tragedy and Sifton’s response. It’s a sad and moving ad.
The $4 Million Man
The Republican Governor’s Association dropped $4 million into the governor’s race over the weekend. It sent the money to the Missouri committee of the RGA. $1M went to the Eric Greitens campaign, though presumably it will all end up there shortly.
This is a big sign of confidence that RGA is showing considering that Greitens has trailed in the polls since he won the primary.
And
The Washington Post writes about Chris Koster and Jason Kander running in Missouri.
Pull Quote: Even before Donald Trump’s polling swoon, the Democratic theory of 2016 relied on a new America replacing the old. Obama won while badly losing the white vote… The new battlegrounds would be fast-growing, diverse states like Arizona and North Carolina; they would be won with progressive policies on immigration reform, gay rights and gun control. States like Missouri — mostly white, mostly rural and hardly growing at all — were left behind… “I do have a real concern that the national Democratic Party is leaving states like Missouri on the other side of the blue wall,” said Koster in an interview during the New Madrid visit. “If presidential politics is driving the Democratic agenda, I fear that people who make those decisions are just forgetting about people in Missouri. It just is a much more conservative state.”
Blunt Kander Bits
Roy Blunt’s latest ad shows Jason Kander’s face morphing into just the same old liberal politicians. See it here.
And see a visual “map” of all the Blunt staffers that have gone into lobbying here. SPOILER: It’s more than a couple…
Maybe Update That Resume
Post-Dispatch’s Tony Messenger writes that Abigail Buhr yawns at Donald Trump’s bragging about groping women. Only problem is that she’s the victim advocate coordinator for the Missouri National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. See it here.
Pull Quote: “He owned it and apologized,” Buhr wrote about Trump’s remarks. “I just think they need to find current issues. This old stuff bores me.”
On the Air
Listen to the pro-Amendment 4 (prohibiting a sales tax expansion) radio ad here. “There is a storm building [thunder rumble], a storm of new taxes….”
Charton’s Favorite Time of Year?
Following Scott Charton’s Twitter feed, it’s obvious that Election season is his favorite time of year…
@ScottCharton: Lament from long-time GOP pal over breakfast in Joplin, Missouri: "We're in the outhouse with Trump and taking lightning strikes."
@ScottCharton: Live phone pollster pronounced surname of #SD19 candidate like "rodent" without the "t." If it's GOP poll, dock pay; if Demo, pay bonus.
Early October Filings
The avalanche of October quarterly filings comes today. I’ll have a rundown tomorrow morning. But here are some early filiers…
In Senate 4 (Keaveny vacancy), Rep. Jake Hummel has $112K on-hand; and his Republican opponent Bryan Young has $1,700 on-hand (with $500 in debt).
In Senate 15, I was proven wrong in my forecast that Democrat Steven Eagleton won’t file his October quarter on-time. He filed early. It’s a Limited Activity filing. That means he hasn’t raised or spent more than $500 in his Senate 15 race against Rep. Andrew Koenig.
The October filing tells of a spirited race in the Springfield district of House 135, Lincoln Hough’s seat. Democratic attorney Randy Alberhasky raised $48,738 and has $64,799 on-hand. (See his website here). While Republican Steve Helms raised $5,042 and has $625 on-hand. Helms is former Green County Circuit Clerk and was Rep. Eric Burlison’s staffer. (See his website here).
And
Senate Pro Tem Ron Richard’s October quarter showed $471K on-hand. Out-done only slightly by former Sen. Victor Callahan’s $498K on-hand.
Court News
See the 36 folks who want to replace Judge Steven Goldman (21st Circuit) here.
Help Wanted
House seeks Legislative Specialist Procedures. “This is a highly responsible technical position providing support on legislative procedural matters for the House of Representatives. Position tracks and documents all legislation and compiles and reviews daily entry into the House Journal and Calendar. Provides support to leadership and member offices and provides procedural training to member staff. Must be able to work long hours during the legislative session, January through May…” See it here.
St. Louis County seeks Expert Financial Advisor. “Expert financial advice and assistance on financing techniques and options on matters pertaining to the issuance and sales of securities; Review Tax Increment Financing Plans; Conduct studies and make recommendations on methods of structuring financing, including payment, security details and bond specifications believed advantageous to County; Provide sophisticated cash flow, bond schedules and sizing analysis; Provide representatives at meetings, when requested or notified by County, on matters concerning financial techniques and bond issues….” See it here.
Today’s Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Mayor Sly James – Breakfast on the Boulevard (SE Corner of Brookside and Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.) – 8:30AM.
Sen. Jamilah Nasheed Birthday Celebration - St. Louis Union Station Hotel – 6PM.
House 52 candidate Kyle Garner – Tim’s Pizza, Independence MO – 6PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
David Sweeney added Sweet Potato Project.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $7,500 from The Doe Run Company.
Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from Wal-Mart Stores Inc PAC for Responsible Government.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $10,000 from Davis Bethune & Jones LLC.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $8,000 from HCA Political Action Committee.
SEIU Missouri State Council PAC - $65,000 from SEIU MO/KS State Council.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri Soybean Association State PAC.
Onder for Missouri - $15,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $650,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $100,000 from MO Republican Party.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $530,000 from Xcaliber International LTD LLC.
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Kevin Knasel.
Association of MO Electric Cooperative PAC - $10,000 from Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative.
Hawley for Missouri - $7,500 from Major Brands Political Action Committee.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $6,500 from Rucker for Missouri.
Vote Yes on 3 for Kids - $10,000 from RAI Services Company.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $25,000 from Intuit.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $25,000 from CleanChoice Energy Inc.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $25,000 from Walgreen CO/IL Walgreen Co Government Relations.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $10,000 from Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $15,000 from DeVry Education Group.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $50,000 from Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $7,500 from Cheyenne International LLC.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $20,000 from Citizens for Marsha Haefner.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $25,000 from Citizens for Dogan.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Kurt Hellweg.
Greitens for Missouri – $7,500 from Nathan McKean.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from David Lowe.
Greitens for Missouri - $20,000 from New Prime Inc.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from White Impala LLC.
Greitens for Missouri - $1,000,000 from Republican Governors Association Missouri.
Hannegan for State Representative - $51,353 from House Republican Campaign Committee Inc.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $35,000 from Teresa Hensley for Missouri
Great Missouri - $5,001 from Tatum Martin.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $7,500 from International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Political Action Together PAC.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $38,014 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.
Citizens for Stephen Webber - $10,247 from Missouri State Democratic Committee.
Missourians for Byron DeLear - $5,646 from Missouri State Democratic Committee.
Rucker for Missouri - $6,426 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.
Citizens for a Safer Jackson County - $10,000 from Heavy Constructors Association Industry Advancement Fund.
Freedom Incorporated - $15,000 from Missourians for Kander.
Schmitt for Missouri - $5,001 from T.W. Martin & Co.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $50,000 from American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees.
Republican Governors Association Missouri - $4,000,000 from Republican Governors Association.
Henderson for Missouri - $5,500 from Engler for Missouri.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $10,000 from Toufic Baaklini.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $10,000 from Nada Nassar.
Parson for Missouri - $10,000 from Friends of Tate Reeves.
Parson for Missouri - $10,000 from Menlo Smith.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $25,000 from AFSCME.
Citizens to Elect Jamilah Nasheed - $15,000 from ROI Services Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, Commissioner Scott Rupp, and Ray Hefner.