Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Senate 2: Schneider Pulls Back Money

Vicki Schneider blinked in Senate 2.  Here’s how it went down…

In her April campaign finance report she reported loaning herself $245,000.  That’s was matching to some extent Bob Onder’s $200K infusion of personal cash.  Chuck Gatschenberger later also anted in $220K

On Schneider’s July report – filed about two weeks ago – the cash was still sitting in the account; she had $296K in the bank.  But on Monday night, Schneider filed an amended July report which reported that the loan had actually been repaid and her cash on-hand balance was only $51K.  She then filed her 8-Day Report which shows $7K raised and only $18K on-hand.

Onder, meanwhile, has been using his own personal cash.  And Gatschenberger has used at least some of his money.  He put in $220K and his cash on-hand is down to $155K according to his 8-Day Report.

Other Laggard 8-Day Reports

Here are the tallies of a few folks who were late in filing their 8-Day Reports…

House 144 – Rep. Paul Fitzwater filed his 8-Day Report, a day late.  He raised $29,350; spent $5,782; and has $42,813 on-hand.  Ron Bohn raised $0; spent $11,367; has $9,966 on-hand.

MOScout Forecast winner: Fitzwater.

House 67 (Webb resigned) – Alan Green filed his 8-Day Report a day late.  He raised $2,025; spent $2,795; and has            $1,045 on-hand. Former Rep. Sylvester Taylor, II also filed his 8-Day Report a day late.  He raised $500; spent $86; and has $6,912 on-hand.  Larry Davis Jr. raised $441; spent $70; and has $835 on-hand.  Tony Weaver raised $2,420; spent $105; and has $2,347 on-hand.

MOScout Forecast winner: Green

House 76 – Rep. Josh Peters filed his 8-Day Report, a day late, showing that he raised $8,625; spent $10,259; and has $8,312 on-hand.  That compares with his challenger Chris Carter Sr.’s numbers: $950 raised; $8,884 spent; and $9,295 on-hand.

MOScout Forecast winner: Carter Sr.

Follow-Up on Nixon’s “All Male” Problem

The mighty Jason Rosenbaum did a story on Governor Jay Nixon’s all-male appointees to the State Board of Education.  Read it here.

One building denizen: “While his lack of appointment of females to top boards and commissions is disappointing, it is not surprising... Look at his top advisors and try to find a woman – John Watson, Jeff Harris, Ted Ardini, etc…”

And another: “The larger point that Nixon doesn’t have women or minorities in positions of significance hardly at all in his administration is 100% accurate. Watch him try as he sucks up to Hillary (Clinton)…”

Real Race in House 102?
The 8-Day Reports showed that the Carpenters’ Union political account (CHIPP) has sent in $40,000 to Michael Swyers’ campaign.  The checks were all for $5K, sent in quick succession to subvert the spirit of the campaign finance laws that requires immediate disclosure of any contributions above $5,000.  Swyers, a business agent for the Carpenters, is running as pro-labor Republican.

On Republican watching the race cautions that while he expects Rep. Kurt Bahr to win, it’s no gimme for the incumbent.  “Bahr was drawn into the same district as Doug Funderburk and Bahr moved to his current seat without a legitimate opponent in 2012, so he has barely any name ID in the district. Swyers has been working hard and he has signs all over the district… There is a reason the unions dumped over $40k into the race. I am sure polling says that it is winnable for Swyers and the unions are going to take a shot at it.”

But as interesting in the 8-Day Report of Swyers is that former Rep. Cynthia Davis, the ultra St. Charles conservative, is on his team.  Davis’ High Way Media received $35,000 for “consulting, printing and postage.”

House 98 Heats Up

Rea Scharnhorst, wife of termed Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst, sent a negative mailer against one of her opponent, Shamed Dogan, recently which plucked comments from his Twitterfeed to make him appear like a RINO.  See the mailer here.

Dogan responded, and punched back:  One of Rea Scharnhorst’s mailers includes several five-year-old quotes from Dogan’s Twitter feed which were taken out of context to imply support for Claire McCaskill and other liberals.   

For example, the mailer misquotes Dogan as saying “Have to give Claire McCaskill

credit… Makes GOP… look even more timid, out of touch.” The full Tweet read: “Have

to give @clairecmc credit for voting against omnibus. Makes GOP pork defenders look

even more timid, out of touch. #tcot #motcot”

Here are the FACTS about Dwight and Rea Scharnhorst:

Dwight and Rea Scharnhorst have failed to tell voters that they’ve been putting Dwight Scharnhorst’s yard signs from 2012 in voters’ yards, and they violated campaign finance laws by failing to report them as an in-kind contribution to Rea’s campaign.

Stream Bits

Rep. Rick Stream has a big fundraiser tonight.  Former Senate Pro Tem Mike Gibbons will emcee the event in Town and Country, with Auditor Tom Schweich as the headliner, and former County Executive Gene McNary expected to take the mic at some point in the evening.

One supporter says, “The polls are astounding on Rick’s ability to win back the County Executive position as a Republican, something many of us thought we would never see. The total mismanagement of County Government has provided the opportunity…”  We’ll see…

And Stream’s team also released their first television ad.  See it here.

Meanwhile Stream’s primary opponent, Tony Pousosa failed the pop quiz at the Post Editorial Board guessing that the County’s budget was “$28 million to $55 million. In fact, it’s $623 million. Any would-be county executive should know that.”  See it here.  Such ignorance is a bit frightening from someone whose main platform is a smaller government.

Randoms

Rep. Sue Allen announced her support for Cory McMahon in his bid to serve the Boone County Republican Central Committee as committeeman for the sixth ward.  During the 2014 legislative session, McMahon interned in Rep. Allen’s office.

Missing Lynn Messer gets national attention.  See it here.

Rep. John Wright will hold a town hall meeting tonight to discuss unlimited campaign contributions.  See it here.

Post-Dispatch reports that Ameren is seeking a fuel charge increase, amounting to about $1.50/month bump in monthly bills.  Read it here.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

James Harris deleted Bank of Washington.

Fundraising Calendar

Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Jay Ashcroft Reception – Jefferson City Country Club, Jefferson City – 5:30-7 p.m.

$5K+ Contributions

Committee to Elect Jeff Roorda – 5,001 from Barry Aycock.

Schupp for Senate - $5,001 from Barry Aycock.

Better Schools for Misosuri - $10,000 from Missouri Ed Counsel LLC.

KC Citizens for Safety - $40,000 from International Association of Fire Fighters Local 42.

Realtors Political Action Comm Mo - $29,946 from National Association of REALTORS.

Committee to Elect Bill Otto - $13,600 from Missouri Democratic Party.

Connect KC - $10,000 from Kansas City Power & Light.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Glazer’s Missouri PAC.

Friends for Jeff Messenger - $5,550 from Ozark Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to former Rep. Bruce Darrough (61).