Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Martin Exits MRP
Missouri Republican Party Chair Ed Martin sent an email blast yesterday (critics noted the typo in the subject line…) saying that he was stepping down. According to the email he was offered the top spot at Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum over the weekend. Then, after a great deal of prayer, he accepted the post Monday morning.
While John Hancock is considered the front runner to replace Martin, Eddy Justice is in the mix as well. And one factor which might give Justice a boost is the question of gubernatorial politics. To what extent do Catherine Hanaway and Tom Schweich get involved to determine the tone and leadership of the state party apparatus?
And – whoever gets the job will still face the same framework of irrelevance that plagued the Martin tenure. With limitless contributions, and robust campaign committees in place for both the Republican House and Republican Senate, there’s simply no obvious function for the state party.
Not Surprised
At the beginning of the year I listed five things which shouldn’t surprise us this year. Claire McCaskill not running for governor was one, and now another: Ed not running for Party Chair again.
I’m not usually so lucky. “Open warfare among Republicans against Rex Sinquefield got a boost with Tom Schweich’s announcement speech. Still waiting on Sharon Carpenter’s resignation…
Zweifel for SOS?
The move of Secretary of State Jason Kander into the US Senate race is one more twist for the statewide tickets.
It has left Dems without an obvious candidate. The one whose name is mentioned is Treasurer Clint Zweifel though there’s no indication that the job would appeal to him.
And for Republicans, Sen. Will Kraus could face a challenger as the race becomes much more appealing without an incumbent Democrat in place.
It’s said that Tim Jones is happy with his new gigs and status as a non-candidate, but with $900K in the bank his name will likely be perpetually in the mix when these sorts of shake-ups occur.
Bits
Sen. Mike Kehoe asked to be removed from the MoDOT and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) Board.
Governor Jay Nixon nominated Kelley F. Farrell as a member of the Bi-State Development
Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District.
Rep. Ira Anders notified the House of a potential conflict of interest as a retired teacher drawing retirement from the PSRS.
New Committees
Vincent Lee started a committee to run as a Democrat for Kansas City Mayor.
Mike Shilling started a committee to run for Springfield Councilperson. It is non-partisan.
Jason Hodges started a committee to run for Kansas City Councilperson, District 2.
Erik Shelquist started a committee to run as a Republican for St. Louis City President of the Board of Alderman.
Carol Gatlin started a committee to run as a Democrat for Kansas City Councilperson, District 3.
Len Eagleburger started a committee to run for Springfield Councilperson. It is non-partisan.
COMO Council Watch was formed. The treasurer is Pamela Cooper. See the paperwork here.
Kevin O’Leary started a committee to run as a Democrat for St. Louis County Council, District 6.
David Gaither started a committee to run as a Democrat for St. Louis City Alderman, Ward 20.
Political Action League was formed. The treasurer is Roy Johnson. It is to support non-partisan candidates in the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners race.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Great Northwest Day & Reception – Capitol Plaza, Jefferson City – 5-8 p.m.
Lobbyist Registrations
Tracy McClard added Families And Friends Organized To Reform Juvenile Justice.
Mike Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Delta Dental Of Missouri, and Enterprise Leasing of St. Louis LLC.
Alisha Meneely added Unspam.
John Jungmann added Springfield R-12 Public Schools.
Ted Wedel added Missouri Hospital Association.
John "Mark" Thomas Walter added Renew Missouri.
Gerard Gimaldi added Truman Medical Centers.
April Hansen deleted Act Inc.
Richard AuBuchon deleted Enterprise Holdings Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
One Springfield - $7,500 from PROMO.
Hanaway for Governor - $10,000 from Howard Wood.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Reps. Warren Love (65), Dave Hinson (43) and Justin Alferman (29), former Sen. Jason Crowell (43), and former Rep. Kent Hampton (67).