Monday, July 20, 2015
LeVota Subject of InternGate II
AP reported that Sen. Paul LeVota is the subject of the Senate investigation into why University of Central Missouri students left their internship abruptly last session. Read it here.
Pull Quote: The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation, said the Senate's investigation focused on an intern's sexual harassment complaint. The details of the investigation had so far been kept largely secret… The committee voted unanimously to close the briefing with the attorney to the public. But Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey said after the meeting that he plans to release a report next week, including the attorney's findings, the results of the internal Senate investigation and a statement on the matter.
Weekly Poll
Find the full results to this week’s MOScout poll under the Special Reports section here.
The poll finds that Peter Kinder has a wide lead at the start of this contest. His 30% is triple second place Catherine Hanaway’s 10%. John Brunner is third with 7%, and everyone else is in the unknown pack with 2-3%.
This conforms to the conventional wisdom that Kinder has a decade of name ID from elected office, but also from constant opining on various issues of the day on talk radio or Fox TV. Republican primary voters know who Kinder is.
It’s expected given how the last few months have gone, that Kinder will be out-raised by many of his rivals. But how many of them will be able to spend their money effectively enough to bring themselves into the top tier? Should they use it early rather than wait and get lost in the election advertising clutter?
The poll also asked about policy priorities and found that Republican primary voters still worry most about ObamaCare. Its repeal is their number one issue by a wide margin. It was more than double “creating jobs.” And “lowering taxes” was the lowest priority, behind “improving education.”
Finally the poll tested the twin pillars that have resisted ethic reform in Missouri and found that a majority of Republican primary voters would prefer to have limits on both campaign contributions and lobbyists’ gifts.
Follow Up on MRP Fundraising
The Missouri Republican Party filed their federal report on Friday which showed a more robust financial status than their state report did days earlier. Their federal account as $34K on-hand. See the report here.
The party views the federal account as a “better gauge of activity, since every check is written from the federal account.”
REDMAP Coming?
Watch out Dems, Politico reports a new initiative… Republican State Leadership Committee and the State Government Leadership Foundation… are launching a $125 million project, called REDMAP 2020, that will push congressional maps to be redrawn to favor Republican legislators. "We are launching REDMAP 2020 to stay on offense at a time when Republicans are at historic highs in state chambers around the country," said Bill McCollum, chairman of the Republican State Leadership Committee.
New Committees
Teona McGhaw-Boure formed a candidate committee to run for House 75 as a Democrat. That’s where Rep. Rochelle Walton Gray is termed. Gray’s husband has also formed a committee. McGhaw-Boure has previously run unsuccessfully for school board and committeewoman.
Jay Ashcroft is the treasure of a new campaign committee “Protect the Vote.” It’s in support of his proposed November 2016 constitutional amendment to require a photo ID of voters.
Steve Roberts Jr. formed a candidate committee to run for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney as a Democrat. He’s the son of Steve Roberts, one half of the “Roberts Brothers” businessmen, whose fortunes have taken a tumble in recent years. Steve Roberts was a city alderman in his younger days. Roberts Jr. will be running against Clarence Harmon’s son as the torch of city politics is passed to a new generation…
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
MIC-PAC Golf Tourney – Redfield Golf Course – Eugene.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 from William McGinnis.
Missourians for Fair Taxation - $600,000 from Missouri Association of REALTORS.
MO Democratic State Committee - $6,000 from Jake Hummel.
Parson for Governor - $8,445 from Friends of Tom Schweich.
United Food & Commercial Workers Local #655 Elect Political Action Fund - $6,551 from UFCW Local 655.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $5,100 from Frank Kinder.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $15,000 from Jerry Fernstermaker.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $15,000 from Neal Ethridge.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $15,000 from Penn Enterprises Inc.
Reinvest STL - $10,000 from Ameren Missouri.
Reinvest STL - $10,000 from Sam Fox.
Reinvest STL - $25,000 from Nestle Purina PetCare Company.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Terry Scariot.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Linda Finerty.
Notes on Money
Reinvest STL is the campaign committee in support of St. Louis City’s Proposition No. 1 on the August 4 ballot. It’s a $180 million bond issue.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Sen. Brad Lager (40), and former RCGA CEO Dick Fleming.