Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Battle Coming to 19th Circuit?

Are forces are in the 19 Circuit Court Judicial race?  One reader reports receiving a poll which was based on very detailed opposition research.  It was done by Central Marketing in New York.  The race pits Democrat Pat Joyce against Republican Brian Stumpe.

The 19th Circuit is Cole County which gets a lot of “bigger” statewide issues – ballot initiatives, the redistricting case for example – because it’s where the state capitol, Jefferson City is located.

So far this hasn’t heated up: Incumbent Joyce has $18,723 on-hand as of the last campaign report; Stumpe had $287 on-hand.

One wonders if we’ll see more activity in this race in the final month.  In 2010, in the 19th Circuit race Daniel Green (R) beat Paul Wilson (D).  Green and Wilson each raised $75K in that race.

Wieland On the Air

In Senate 22, Rep. Paul Wieland has started running television.  See it here.  It attacks the “common core” and Barack Obama.  For all the talk about how Governor Jay Nixon has become unpopular in Jefferson County, it looks like Republicans still count on Obama was easiest target.

Stream On the Air

Rep. Rick Stream introduces his first television ad for St. Louis County Executive.  It’s called “Titanic.”  That gives you an idea where their message is headed… “rearranging deck chairs” etc. See it here.

Rand for Rex

Thursday, October 9 at the St. Louis Club, US Senator Rand Paul will be the featured speaker at a Show-Me Institute fundraiser.  “Sen. Rand Paul calls himself ‘a warrior against government overreach.’ Hear him talk about why he thinks Washington is ‘horribly broken’ and the crucial need for fiscal responsibility… Host Committee: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Brauer, Mr. R. Crosby Kemper III, Mr. W. Bevis Schock, Mr. and Mrs. James G. Forsyth III, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Sinquefield, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Short, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Forshaw IV, and Sen. and Mrs. James Talent… Private Roundtable & Reception… $5,000 per person… Reception Only… $250 per person… All proceeds will benefit the Show-Me Institute… Senator Paul is appearing at this event only as a featured speaker. He is not soliciting funds or donations….”

Liquor Franchise Peace?

Post-Dispatch reports that a settlement was reach in the dispute between Major Brands and Diageo and Glazer’s.  Read it here. At the root was the definition of what constitutes a franchise.  Major Brands had attempted to codify a definition in 2013, and the battle enveloped the capitol with scores of lobbyists joining in the fight.

Pull Quote: Terms were not disclosed, but the settlement provides a “substantial payment made to Major Brands,” Major Brands said in a statement… Jury selection in the trial began Sept. 15 in downtown St. Louis. In opening statements last week, Major Brands’ attorney Richard Walsh said Major Brands had a franchise agreement with Diageo that could not be terminated under Missouri law because there was not good cause to do so. He told jurors evidence would show damages to Major Brands for the loss of business was an estimated $197 million… As part of its agreement with Diageo, Glazer’s indemnified the supplier, so Glazer’s is shouldering litigation costs related to the dispute with Major Brands…

Coldwater Creek Cancers

Post-Dispatch reports that health officials now find higher than expected cancer cases because of nuclear waste in north St. Louis County.   Read it here.

Pull Quote: In a sharp shift, state health officials are asking for help to investigate whether high rates of cancers in north St. Louis County are linked to nuclear contamination of Coldwater Creek, which residents have long feared is causing rare illnesses… The new state report shows high rates of leukemia, breast, colon and other cancers in the areas surrounding Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by nuclear waste after World War II. The creek runs from St. Ann to the Missouri River through Florissant, Hazelwood, Black Jack and Spanish Lake.

Jami Contra Gunners

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed held a press conference to draw attention to a rash of shootings that St. Louis City has experienced this year.  See KMOX coverage here.  Pull Quote: Nasheed also promised to introduce a bill before the state legislature in January that would call for a mandatory ten year sentence for gun criminals. She plans to meet with lobbyists for the National Rifle Association to seek their support. Mayor Slay and Police Chief Dotson both said they support the plan… “I talked to a police officer,” Slay said, “He was a police officer back in the 60s and 70s in the city of St. Louis. And he said something is different today—everybody’s got a gun. Everybody’s got a gun.” Chief Dotson says so far the shootings appear to be unrelated. He does not think there is a gang turf war going on. But he too says there are too many illegal guns floating around and people are using them to settle arguments.

Bits

In the Missouri Ethics Commission’s Non-Committee Expenditure Reports, Jean Wollery offered support for Democrat Sam Rauls for Jefferson County Executive in the primary by buying newspaper ads.  See it here.  According to LinkedIn, Wollery has been the Director of the Jefferson County Humane Society for the past 18 years.

Politico’s Morning Money says the payday loan battle is going national… “Per release going out later this a.m. for what a person familiar with the matter called a ‘six figure’ ad buy:  A new campaign launching today will aggressively target the payday and installment lending industry ... The campaign, launched by Americans for Payday Lending Reform, a project of National People's Action, will include a significant investment in digital advertising and a new online hub featuring a weekly series highlighting payday 'predators of the week'.”  See the campaign website here.

Fundraising Calendar

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

MO Chamber PAC Golf Tourney – Sunset Country Club, St. Louis.

Rep. Diane Franklin Golf – Old Kinderhook Golf Club, Camdenton.

Rep. Caleb Rowden Reception – MUSEAO Bldg., 3500 Buttonwood, Columbia – 6:30-8 p.m.

$5K+ Contributions

Schupp for Senate - $17,269 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $25,000 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.

Hegeman for Senate - $25,000 from Citizens to Elect Mike Kehoe.

Citizens for Steve Stenger - $5,001 from Scott Sifton for State Senate.

Wieland Now - $15,000 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.

Schupp for Senate - $7,500 from SEIU Missouri State Council PAC.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to former Rep. Kevin Wilson (56) and Terry Witte (62).