Wednesday, November 12, 2014
English Sues Sharma
According to Casenet, Rep. Keith English filed suit against his vanquished general election opponent, Rehka Sharma. Sharma was the Republican running against English in House 68 who published police report from English’s past on her campaign website and used them in her literature against him.
According to the filing, English is represented by attorney Steven Fluhr. The docket entries make reference to a “petition for damages.”
Follow-Up on Hawley
Tipster: “A consultant has been floating Josh Hawley’s name in rural counties for some time. I know of at least two Republican County chairs that have been contacted about Lincoln Days for 2015 and if he can speak. So I believe to rumors to be true…”
And: Why Schaefer Has to be Careful
From another observer inside the building: “Hawley may be a gadfly type with no ability to set up an organization, but Sen. Kurt Schaefer did take a really bad vote for an Republican primary: when he was the only R to vote with the Dems against overriding the governor’s veto on the abortion bill. He may have felt like he had to do it because of his contest with Mary Still, but it still an opening of some sort.”
Meanwhile on the Dem side…
On the Dem side a different observer sees that dynamic evolving… “Hey saw both Scott Sifton and Jake Zimmerman are getting in for attorney general. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on winning the Democratic nomination…”
Senate 1 Talk
But more of the talk yesterday concerned what the Dems will do with an opening in Senate 1 should Sifton really make the leap. It’s said that Rep. Genice Montecillo is interested in moving up, however she has detractors. One criticism is that despite sitting on $50K campaign account, she sent very little money to help Dem candidates this cycle.
Rep. Vicki Englund, despite her recent loss, is still in the mix as a possible contender. Rep. Jeanne Kirkton is in the district, but lives in the wrong part – and is said to be ready to retire when her House term is up. Finally there’s Rep. Bob Burns. It’s unclear if he’d have fire in the belly for a Senate run, and generally the folks I spoke to would like to put up a woman – in the absence of an incumbent.
LaFaver Dissed
One piece of the House Dems’ leadership elections I missed last week was that the caucus rejected its second highest fundraiser for a leadership post. Rep. Jeremey LaFaver – who sent
over $30K in contributions to Dem candidates – lost to Rep. Karla May (who contributed less than $500) for caucus secretary.
In evaluating their election train-wreck, House Dems need to do more than blame it on the abstract notion of an unpopular president. They need to evaluate their own practices and think about systemic change.
Nixon Outlines Plans for Grand Jury Announcement
With a New York Times byline, Eli Yokley reports on Governor Jay Nixon’s press conference yesterday in which he introduced the “unified command” which would serve and protect in the aftermath of the coming grand jury announcement.
“Gov. Jay Nixon said Tuesday that the Missouri National Guard was part of a multiforce contingency plan by law enforcement authorities to avert violence as the region around St. Louis awaited a grand jury’s return in the death of Michael Brown three months ago… In August, Mr. Nixon called up the National Guard in the sometimes violent protests that followed the death of Mr. Brown, an unarmed black teenager fatally shot by a white police officer in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis. The role of the Guard then was limited to protecting a police command post, but it drew harsh criticism from demonstrators who said it was more a sign of a military-style approach by the authorities. On Tuesday, some demonstrators criticized Mr. Nixon’s newest plan — and the possibility that he would call up the Guard again — as an overreaction that might only heighten potential anger.” Read it here.
Fund Kansas!
Someone with a satirical bent has created a page to crowd-fund the state of Kansas with its projected deficits brought on by its tax policy. See it here.
Bits
As the cold sets in, Sen. Gina Walsh sent out a press release reminding Missourians of LIPHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). “More than 146,000 Missouri households received financial assistance through LIHEAP last year. The program will help pay heating costs through the month of March. Payments can range anywhere from $45 to $450 and are based on a number of factors. Payments are usually made directly to the utility company. To qualify for the program, you must be a U.S. citizen or an alien admitted to this country for permanent residence; be responsible for paying home heating costs; have less than $3,000 in resources; and have an annual household income (before taxes) of $32,198 for a family of four.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt announced that his bid for treasurer received the endorsements of former treasurers Wendell Bailey and Sarah Steelman.
Missed this last week… Sen-elect Bob Onder announced his staff…. Jennae Neustadt (formerly with Sen. John Lamping) as Chief of Staff and Sam Saffa as Legislative Director.
Once it ends, it starts again… Rep-elect. Joe Adams is taking no time to get his fundraising started… Next Wednesday, November 19, 5-7pm at the Pasta House in his district.
eMailbag… Reader: $$$ Is Crazy!
“With regard to the big money that the Democrats put in, that was great. The problem (in my humble opinion) is that all too often the candidates spent their money unwisely. Look at Deb Lavender for example (a wonderful person, she'll be a great representative). Over her four campaigns, she's raised more than $550,000! Almost $247,000 for this election. Does a state rep race in suburban St. Louis really need that much money?
Or look at two Dem wins in next door districts. Tracy McCreery raised over a $100,000, and spent almost $60,000 to get 54% of the vote.
I'm not trying to pick on anyone, just cast a light on what I see as a pervasive campaign management problem. The Dems seem to have preferred races and the generous flow of money into those races leads those candidates into excessive expenditures that have limited effectiveness…”
Fundraising Calendar
Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Sue Allen Veteran’s Reception – Sunset Country Club, StL – 5:30-7 p.m.
Majority Senate Caucus Retreat – Big Cedar Lodge, Branson
$5K+ Contributions
Hanaway for Governor - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Scott Sifton for State Senate - $5,001 from Scott Vorhees.
Committee to Elect Jeff Roorda - $10,153 from United Food & Commercial Workers Local 688.
MO State Council of Fire Fighters PAC - $5,391 from Missouri State Council Of Fire Fighters.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Matt Hill and Kailey Berger.