MOScout Daily Update: Scorched Earth Coming to Senate 25? - Scism in Senate 3? - Behind Google's Announcement - Barnes to O'Laughlin and more...

Senate 25: Scorched Earth Coming?

Rep. Jeff Shawan has said there’ll be a “special announcement” at his Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Social next Tuesday.  Word is he’ll be announcing his state senate bid.

Presaging this annoncement, Shawan recently loaned his campaign $100,000.  This brought a few chuckles among the knowing crowd because Shawan is uncle to Scott Faughn, who famously conjured $100,000 cash to pay Eric Greitens’ mistress’s ex-husband’s attorney.

Shawan will be taking on long-time Republican party activist Eddy Justice, who announced his candidacy in February.  This sets up a battle between Victory Enterprises (repping Shawan) and Axiom Strategies (for Justice).

Justice doesn’t have a voting record, so the guess is that Shawan focuses his attack on Justice’s time on the State Board of Education, in particular perhaps his support for school choice.  Justice, meanwhile, is likely to wage a scorched earth campaign on Shawan’s past.  That includes having to surrender his real estate appraisal license in 2013 after many improprieties, as well as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2005.  (The bankruptcy filing makes his recent contribution surprising.)

One hallway-er without a dog in the fight thinks throwing those punches will serve Justice well.  “That’s the type of stuff a PAC can have a heyday with. [Justice] is going to have a well-funded PAC.  Assume both candidates embrace Trump and raise roughly the same amount of money.  That’s the kind of thing that separates candidates…”

Senate 3: Meet Kent Scism

In Senate 3, word is that Kent Scism will be running for Sen. Gary Romine’s seat.  Romine is termed and Rep. Mike Henderson had been expected to be the front-runner of the Republican primary.  However, Scism is thought to be a Bigfoot in this race.  He’s got Kehoe-esque name ID in the district because of his family’s Ford dealership.  And he can make a big financial commitment to his campaign to give it plenty of resources.

Scism is currently on the National Automobile Dealers Association board of directors.  See it here.

The Key To Google’s KC Announcement

Behind the announcement earlier this week that “technology giant Google is considering an expansive data center project in Kansas City, North, with an initial investment of $600 million” was action by the legislature last session.  As the KCStar article notes the “If Google picks Kansas City, Port KC could issue what’s known as Chapter 68 bonds, which would give Google an exemption on property taxes for 25 years…”

SB 368 – sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough – was amended to include clarifying language concerning port authorities’ usage of Chapter 68 bonds.  The provision in the bill wasn’t written specific to Kansas City.  It applies to all ports in the state which is why Rep. Becky Ruth, on the eastern side of the state, helped with the amendments in the House.

And although Google wasn’t mentioned during the debate, and no grand promises were made, it’s clear now that Port KC way laying the groundwork for the deal with their pursuit of SB 368.

FYI

Lobbyists for Port KC are: Mark Coulter, Port KC’s General Counsel; Brian Todd Rabineau, Post KC’s Deputy General Counsel; and Brent Hemphill and Jasmine Wells of Hemphill and Associates.

Barnes to O’Laughlin

With the departure of Paul Curtman to Wisconsin, Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin has hired Fred Barnes to be her new chief of staff. Barnes comes from Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s office where he served as legislative assistant last session.

Insider: “Good hire. Young guy who will work hard and is eager to learn… [O’laughlin] is demanding but as long as you want to work hard, [she’s] a good boss…”

Galloway Raises Off Late Refunds

The latest fundraising blast from Auditor Nicole Galloway jabs Governor Mike Parson for Missourians not receiving their tax refunds yet…

I’m writing about the appalling situation that Governor Parson has forced on thousands of Missourians.

At last check, more than 70,000 taxpayers in our state are still waiting to receive their tax refunds. That’s unacceptable, and Parson needs to do better.

Will you sign my letter demanding that Parson address this important issue?...

I have already heard from more than a thousand taxpayers — including seniors, Missourians with disabilities, and those living on lower incomes — who are asking for help on this issue.

I will continue to work on behalf of those affected by Parson’s dysfunction — but I need my supporters to make their voices heard….

One More Thing

FootGolf coming to Jefferson City…  See it here.  Footgolf is a mash-up of soccer and golf, where participants try to kick soccer balls into cups in as few shots as possible… The footgolf holes are on the golf fairways, not the greens…

New Committtees

John Voss formed a candidate committee (Friends Of John Voss) to run for House 147 as a Republican.  The current incumbent, Rep. Kathy Swan, is running for state senate.

Michelle Sherod formed a candidate committee (Michelle Sherod for St. Louis) to run for Senate 5 as a Democrat.  The current incumbent, Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, is termed.

Mighty Missouri PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Mark Milton.  Its deputy treasurer is Kelly Waymon.

417 PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Trevor Crist.

SaveHermann was formed.  It’s a PAC.  Its treasurer is David McGarrah.

StreetCred PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Lisa Cagle.

Stand Up To Stigma PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Chelsea Hughes.  Its deputy treasurer is Rachelle Glavin.

Lobbyists Registrations

Wesley Sutton added Missouri Division of Professional Registration.

George Oestreich added Surescripts.           

$5K+ Contributions

POL PAC - $11,000 from H&R Block.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Claire McCaskill, Betsy AuBuchon, Jean Evans, Kim Tuttle, Jim Lembke, Wes Rogers, and Kevin Threlkeld.