Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Sinquefield Backs Hanaway

Rex Sinquefield sent $50,000 to Catherine Hanaway’s campaign at the quarter’s end on Sunday.  And the Missouri Club for Growth to which he is a prime funder sent an additional $100,000 to Hanaway.

This has two important implications. 

First, in a potential Republican primary between Hanaway and Auditor Tom Schweich it shows she is able to land a giant contributor of her own to match his.  Sinquefield has never been a Schweich backer.  Get ready for the “donor royale” between Sinquefield and Sam Fox.  (See Schweich’s biggest donors below.)

Second, it appears that Sinquefield is abandoning Democrat Chris Koster.  During Koster’s attorney general re-election campaign, Sinquefield backed him vigorously.  He sent three checks totaling $335,000 in the 2012 cycle.

Schweich’s Biggest Funders

Sam Fox Contributions

$100,000 on 1/14/2014

$100,000 on 6/6/2013

$50,000 on 8/21/2013

$50,000 on 6/29/2012

$50,000 on 8/11/2011

$100,000 on 10/20/2010

$25,000 on 7/20/2009

David Humphreys Contributions

$20,000 on 11/20/2013

$100,000 on 5/21/2012

$25,000 on 10/20/2010

Stan Herzog Contributions

$10,000 on 8/30/2013

$50,000 on 10/29/2010

$10,000 on 11/1/2010

Schneider Puts $245K Into Her Campaign

Former state representative Vicki Schneider put $245,000 into her Senate 2 campaign yesterday. 

Last quarter Schneider has $48K on-hand; Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger had $67K on-hand; and former Rep. Bob Onder had $100K on-hand. 

But two weeks ago Onder put in $200K more of his own money. 

Schneider says that she’s “in it to win it,” and if Onder puts more in she’ll put more in.

Looks like a money arms race has begun…

Right to Work Today?

One rumor is that right to work will come up to the House floor for debate and a vote today.  However this could just be idle talk.  We'll see...

The current over/under is 80 votes.  That’d be enough to perfect the bill, but would fall short of the constitutional majority necessary for full passage.

Dempsey Meets With Koster

Pro Tem Tom Dempsey met with Attorney General Chris Koster to discuss the Allocable Share Release.

Dempsey appears to be trying to gather all the relevant information on the proposed change to the master settlement agreement before committing the Senate to a fixed path.

He said there may be “further conversations” with Koster…

Senate Dartboard Revision

In the hallways I was stopped by a Democrat who insisted that the most important item in yesterday’s MOScout was buried near the end… The Republican Senate’s campaign committee shifted funds from their “Western PAC” to their “Eastern PAC.”

Who’s to blame for the vacancy on the Democratic side of the ballot in Senate 16, Senate 18, and Senate 30?

Senate 16 was held by Democrat Frank Barnitz until he was beat by Sen. Dan Brown; Senate 18 was held by Democrat Wes Shoemyer until he was beat by Sen. Brian Munzlinger; and Senate 30 is a 50-50 district with universities in its heart for a natural Democratic base.

Democrats would likely lose all of these districts.  They’re represented by incumbents, and the two rural districts seem to be slipping beyond the grasp of the Missouri Democratic Party.  Still if you put up a fight, exact a cost.  If you give them a pass, there’s no cost.   And the price of not contesting those races is that the Republicans will focus their resources (like the $100K that just got shifted over) on Senate 24, and Senate 22.

I am becoming more pessimistic on Senate 22 as a result. 

Right now I have the Senate as a “wash.”  Republicans picking up Senate 10 (Justus termed), and Dems taking Senate 24 (Lamping retiring), and Rep. Jeff Roorda holding Senate 22 (McKenna resigned). 

But I’m feeling negative on Senate 22, so let’s call it a “watch” with a possible upgrade to Republicans’ chances to pick up a seat in the Senate this cycle.

NYTimes: Don’t Change the Helmet Law

The “freedom riders” lobby every year in Jefferson City to change the laws against requiring a helmet while riding a motorcycle.  They want to let their hair fly free in the wind!

New York Times presents a pretty convincing graphic that it’s a bad idea.  See it here.

Bits

Rep. Kevin McManus was appointed to the Judiciary Committee, taking the place of Rep. Rory Ellinger.

Rep. Michael Butler was appointed to Appropriations – Health, Mental Health and Social Services, taking the place of Rep. Rory Ellinger.

Rep. Jon Carpenter was appointed to Ways and Means Committee, taking the place of Rep. Rory Ellinger.

Sen. John Lamping said on the floor yesterday that he’s bought some land in Augusta Missouri, and may create a winery there.

Governing Magazine profiles Secretary of State Jason Kander.  Read it here.

Celeste Banks-Rueter, previously with the St. Louis Realtors, is now Annual Fund Manager at Variety the Children’s Charity – St. Louis.

House Floor Leader John Diehl proposed a rule change to allow five House members on the budget conference committee, up from three.  See it here.

Fundraising Calendar

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

St. Louis Regional Chamber Breakfast – Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City – 7-8:30 a.m.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

Brad Bates added Missouri Hospital Association, and Bates & Cooper Consulting.

Wayne Cooper added Missouri Hospital Association, and American Childhood Obesity Foundation.

Susan K Trautman deleted Metropolitan Park and Recreation District d/b/a Great Rivers Greenway.

$5K+ Contributions

Freedom PAC - $65,000 from Adam Smith Foundation.

Citizens for Fairness in Missouri - $55,000 from Adam Smith Foundation.

Hanaway for Governor - $10,000 from Friends of Munzlinger.

Hanaway for Governor - $100,000 from Missouri Club for Growth.

Hanaway for Governor - $50,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Citizens for a Stronger Missouri - $10,000 from David Farr

Progress KC PAC - $15,000 from Internatinoal Union of Operating Engineers Local 101.

Committee to Elect Vicki A Schneider for State Senate - $245,000 from Vicki Schneider.

Schupp for Senate - $5,001 from Kander for Missouri.

Committee to Elect Jeff Roorda - $5,001 from Kander for Missouri.

Missourians for Tim Jones - $10,000 from William Holekamp.

Missourians for Tim Jones - $10,000 from RightCHOICE Managed Care Inc.

Spooner for Senate - $10,000 from Drury Development Corporation.

Committee to Elect Doris Tatum as Jasper County Recorder of Deeds - $10,414 from Doris Tatum.