Friday, March 23, 2012
Bits in no particular order…
Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner?
Local Tea Party groups bristled at the national Tea Party Express’ endorsement of Sarah Steelman.
Explained one Tea Partier to me: “The Tea Party Express has no presence in St. Louis. They've long been out of touch with Tea Party groups here… I don't think there's Tea Party unity behind any of the three Senate candidates. I know Tea Partiers that support each of them. I probably lean slightly toward supporting Steelman, but I think Todd Akin has a better claim to Tea Party support. Honestly, all three are fine, if mediocre, candidates.”
Tea Party poster-boy Rep. Paul Curtman backs John Brunner. See it Here. And it’s said he’d like for Akin to sneak back into CD-2.
Statement from Groups
“On behalf of Tea Party groups and grassroots organizations across the state of Missouri, including but not limited to those listed below, we acknowledge the Tea Party Express, a California-based political action committee, as they visit a local florist shop in St. Louis today, to announce their endorsement of U.S. Senate candidate (MO) Sarah Steelman.
“The endorsement of Sarah Steelman for U.S. Senate by the Tea Party Express does not represent the consensus of Tea Party groups and conservative grassroots organizations that exist in Missouri; neither does the Tea Party Express represent the positions of Tea Party groups as a
whole...”
It was signed by Branson Tea Party, Callaway Patriots Tea Party, Capital Tea Party, Cooper County Tea Party, Eureka Tea Party, Franklin County Patriots, I Heard The People Say, Jefferson County Tea Party, Lebanon Tea Party, Liberty Restoration Project, Macon County Patriots, Mid-MO Patriots Northsiders TEA Party, Sikeston Tea Party, Springfield Tea Party, Springfield/Greene County TEA Party, Sullivan 9-12 Group Fundraisers.
Lloyd Smith to Exit?
One Republican thinks it’s highly likely that Lloyd Smith exits from the top of the MO GOP Party after the election. Redistricting – Congressional, Senate and House all – has created strains and stresses and Smith may be the victim.
Grrrr
Hallway lobbyists grumble that Renew MO’s PJ Wilson should be added to my list (Ron Calzone being the inaugural inductee) of lobbyists who haven’t registered…
Haas Watch
Perennial candidate Bill Haas adds a second office for this cycle. In addition to seeking the Senate 5 seat, he’s also filed to become the Democratic commiteeman in the city’s 28th Ward. The current incumbent there is Sen. Joe Keaveny (District 4).
Dokes Watch
Eugene Dokes, the committeeman who oversaw the St. Charles caucus debacle, will certainly face a primary before filing closes Tuesday, according to one Ron Paul supporter. Also, the source says Dokes has been told to “stay away” by MO GOP leaders from the proceedings when St. Charles re-caucuses.
Bits
KC’s BATS Global Markets IPOs with a market cap of $761 million. Read it Here.
Your Vote Counts quits ballot initiative. Read it Here.
New Candidate Filings
In House 6, Diana Scott filed to run as a Democrat, and Tony Askew filed to run as a Republican. This is the district where Rep. Randy Asbury withdrew earlier this week.
Ethel Mae Young filed to run as the third Democrat in House 75. The other two Dems are Reps. Sylvester Taylor and Rochelle Walton Gray.
Edward Harlow filed to run in House 82 as a Republican. He’ll face Democratic incumbent Rep. Michele Kratky.
Ken Boyce filed to run as a Republican in House 136. This is a safe Republican seat where Rep. Charlie Denison is termed.
Jeffrey Pogue filed as a Republican in House 143.
Lobbyists’ Principals Changes
From the Pelopidas website:
John E Bardgett Jr, Brian Millner, and John Parris added The Missouri Bar.
Brian Bernskoetter and Randy Scherr added City of Greendale, City of Florissant, and City of Clarkson Valley; and deleted St. Louis County Economic Council.
Christopher Neeley added Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Equal Credit Opportunity - $260,000 from Missourians for Responsible Government.
Montee for Missouri - $15,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
Jay Nixon for Missouri - $10,000 from UFCW Local 655 Elect Political Fund.
Missourians for Koster - $5,000 from Comcast.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from Thomas McDonnell.
Missourians for Koster - $5,000 from Ameristar Casino St. Charles.
Missourians for Koster - $5,000 from Ameristar Casino Kansas City.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Tom Loehner (55).
Saturday: Mike Gibbons (53), Tony Wyche and Matt Bain.
Sunday: Rep. Jason Holsman (36).