Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Schweich In?
Auditor Tom Schweich filed paperwork to pursue a US Senate bid. The paperwork (See it Here) was reported by Bloomberg reporter Gregg Giroux.
If Schweich does indeed jump, the immediate winner would be Sarah Steelman who becomes the only woman – and the only non-St. Louisan – in a field of four.
But the biggest question mark in a Schweich candidacy is whether he can raise the money under the constraints of federal limits.
Can He Raise the Money?
In his successful 2010 auditor’s race he raised $2.3 million. $1.3 million of that came from 70 checks all over the federal primary and general combined limit of $5K.
When you filter out those who gave blood multiple times, half his 2010 take came from a pool of 50 donors.
Some of the limits could be overcome though the use of spouses. And then assuming that – in addition to his Missouri arm-twisting – Sam Fox can push national money Schweich’s way, there’s no reason Schweich couldn’t round out his budget again in the $2 million area, though it will take a lot more work.
Missourians for Responsible Government
The recent lobbying filings of Jorgen Schlemeier and Brent Hemphill to represent Missourians for Responsible Government is related to the judicial reform effort.
It’s said that they are focusing on the alternatives to the non-partisan court plan which would not involve direct election of judges.
Missourians for Responsible Government appears to be a catch-all committee to fund various conservative issues. For example, $500,000 ($250K on January 5 and March 2) has been contributed to the Missourians for Equal Credit Opportunity from “Responsible Government.” That’s a committee fighting the various payday loan reforms. Last year they contributed $600,000 to that committee.
Who funds Missourians for Responsible Government is not known.
Missourians for Responsible Government is also listed as the publisher of the Missouri Record blog. See their webpage Here, in which they describe their various positions. See filing with SOS Here.
Limbaugh Day 3
Speaker Steve Tilley vowed to stay the course on the Limbaugh bust, giving Dems another chance to use the radio celebrity’s words against Republicans.
Claire’s Mom
In an email blast fundraising pitch written from the perspective of Sen. Claire McCaskill’s mom: “Now he's made me mad. Rush Limbaugh has never been someone I paid much attention to. But you can't call my daughter, or any woman, that!
“When Rush Limbaugh attacked my daughter and law student Sandra Fluke last week, I saw red. I feel for that young lady's mother. But I bet she's proud of her daughter's willingness to stand up for her rights. Can you give $5 to help fight back against Rush and his anti-women assault?
“I have been working for women's rights all my life, and brought up my three daughters and a son to believe that every human being deserves respect, dignity, and equality… Rush Limbaugh and his out-of-control nasty mouth is part of the problem. But it is much bigger than even his mouth…”
House Dems
House Dems send a letter to Speaker Tilley (and the media). It read in part: “Fame has never been considered sufficient to earn someone a place in the Hall of Famous Missourians. If it were outlaws Frank and Jesse James – two of the most famous Missourians of all time – would have been inducted long ago… (Limbaugh) would be by far the most divisive and controversial inductee to the Hall…”
Special in Senate 10?
In a filing in the “Cunningham lawsuit” with the federal courts, the “Schaefer lawyers” are arguing that rural Missouri would not be underrepresented by the tentative map because there would be a special election for the new Senate 10.
According to their reading of the constitution, Article III Section 6 – “Each senator shall be thirty years of age, and next before the day of his election shall have been a qualified voter of the state for three years and a resident of the district which he is chosen to represent for one year, if such district shall have been so long established, and if not, then of the district or districts from which the same shall have been taken.” – Sen. Jolie Justus won’t meet the residency requirement for the new district and a special election will have to be scheduled.
As the dome turns…
Cutting Edge Social Media
Must be a consultant behind the catch-phrase somewhere…
“ForAmerica, with an online army of over 2 million grassroots conservatives, has launched Operation ObamaClone in key US Senate race states, including Missouri. The campaign will use cutting edge social media tactics to target Claire McCaskill…”
And- “Cutting edge use of media, including internet outlets, will be a hallmark of this campaign, and fresh ideas like this will be key feature in my tenure as governor.” “The Spence Campaign plans to partner in a positive way with traditional TV, print, and radio outlets, as well as social and new media websites…”
Bits
The Moberly Monitor reports that the city of Moberly has hired Thompson Coburn to represent them in the Mamtek bankruptcy proceedings. Read it Here.
Look for the House Budget Committee votes on the budget bills to be unanimous or near unanimous – except for House Bill 11 which contains the controversial change to the funding for the blind.
Neal Boyd to sing at Iraqi Victory Party… See it Here.
And I’m late to this story… Dennis Smith to run for House? He’s started a campaign committee, but hasn’t filed for House 47. Read it Here. Smith is a former state senator, who ran the controversial Missouri Employers Mutual. He’s also pops to Blue Cross lobbyist Dave Smith. See his paperwork Here.
New Candidate Filings
Rep. Jason Kander gets a primary. Not a real primary, but still a primary. Rabbi Alam MD filed to run for secretary of state as a Democrat.
Rep. Tim Shively filed to run in House 5. He’ll face Republican Rep. Lyndell Shumake. It’s an intriguing match-up because there’s much more of Shively’s current House 8 district in the new House 5. And Shivley is a better retail campaigner. But it’s also a clearly Republican district. Shively has won Republican districts before…
Jim Crenshaw filed to run as a Democrat in the Republican leaning distict of House 8. There’s no incumbent in that district. It has Clinton and Caldwell and a bit of Clay County.
Rep. Denny Hoskins gets an opponent. Nancy Maxwell filed to run as Democrat in House 54.
Kim Gardner filed to run in House 77. It’s a St. Louis City Democratic district without an incumbent. She joins two others in the primary. Gardner ran unsuccessfully against Rep. Jamilah Nasheed in 2008 winning 25% of the vote.
Sherbaz Khan filed to run as a Democrat in House 32 against incumbent Rep. Jeanie Lauer. Lauer should be safe in her 57% Republican district.
Derron Black joined Randy Dunn in a Democratic primary in the Kansas City district of House 23.
Lobbyists’ Principals Changes
From the Pelopidas website:
Rodney S. Bland added Geospatial Analytics Inc.; and deleted Energy Systems Group (ESG)
James Calpin added Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Christopher P. Moody added LaFaver & Associates LLC.
Charles F Myers added Bothwell Regional Health Center; and deleted Golden Valley Memorial Hospital.
Timothy Michael Wolfe added University of Missouri System.
Sharon Daniels deleted SICPA Product Security LLC.
Sharon Daniels and Richard Gephardt deleted Ameren Corporation.
J Scott Marrs deleted Mercury.
Michael Michelson deleted All American Bingo.
$5K+ Contributions
MO State Teachers Assoc Legislative Impact - $9,000 from Central MSTA Region.
Give Missourians a Raise - $56,500 from The Advocacy Fund.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Jeff Layman, and former state senators Frank Barnitz (44) and Carl Vogel (57).