MOScout Daily Update: GOP Names for Auditor - Schmitt Gets RAGA Vice-Chair - COVID Liability to Special - What To Do About Roeber - Prepping for Next Session and more....

2022 Name Games

Turning to 2022, I asked around about potential auditor candidates.  Here are folks whose name I heard from multiple sources…

Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman

·         Legal background.

·         JeffCo is an emerging GOP stronghold.

·         One source said “party leaders want a woman.” (Though it’s unclear who “party leaders” are since Parson has filled his three statewide vacancies with men).

Rep. David Gregory

·         Accounting and legal background ideal for the job.

·         Strong fundraiser.

·         Lots of votes in St. Louis County.

Sen. Bob Onder

·         St. Charles base one of the most vote-rich areas in the state.

·         Experience fundraising and campaigning for higher office.

·         Legal background.

Sen-elect Holly Rehder

·         Off-cycle, so wouldn’t have to give up her new Senate seat.

·         See “party leaders want a woman” (above).

There were other names, and one Republican coyly remarked, “lots of poker left to be played…”

But

In thinking of the 2022 match-up, keep in mind: it’s not a 100% certainty that incumbent Nicole Galloway will run for re-election.

·         She’ll have options.  Potentially something in the Biden administration, or in the private sector.  She may decide that she’s served her time in public service.  We’ll see.

·         And after the 2020 schlacking, Dems don’t see 2022 necessarily being easier.  Yes, Trump won’t be on the ballot, and that could subdue the Republican turnout.   But normally the first midterm of a presidency sees losses for the party in the White House.

Also

For those starting to fill out their 2022 scorecard… Speaker Elijah Haahr is thought to be potential congressional candidate.  Congressman Billy Long vowed to only serve six terms when he was elected.  January would be the start of his 6th term.  An open congressional field always attracts a big field.  In Haahr’s favor…

·         Name ID as former Speaker of the House.

·         Conservative legislative accomplishments he can tout: author of largest tax cut in state history, presided over most ambitious abortion ban in US.

·         Experience asking for and raising money.

Haahr Sees Expanded Session

Let’s play two… it looks like we’ll be getting an expanded call for the special session to deal with COVID liability.  MOIndy quotes Speaker Elijah Haahr: “I think it is pretty likely he is going to make that call.”

House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, called last week for Parson to expand the session’s agenda. He cited the ongoing threat of lawsuits by employees or members of the public who have caught COVID-19 on the premises of a business, school or health care provider.

·         This could be a more complicated than the supplemental budget depending how broad the language ends up being.

What To Do About Roeber

Missouri Independent reports on the allegations against Rep-elect. Rick Roeber.  See it here.

On Monday, the adult children of Rick Roeber wrote a letter to House leaders asking that they block him from representing the district made up of parts of Lee’s Summit and surrounding areas in Jackson County. His adopted daughter says he made improper sexual advances toward her in 1990, when she was 9 years old, while two of his other children say he was also physically abusive.

Incoming House Speaker Rob Vescovo, incoming Majority Leader Dean Plocher and Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann said in their joint statement that they have a “zero tolerance policy for anyone who would endanger or abuse a child.”

“The adult children of newly-elected state Rep. Rick Roeber have made very troubling allegations regarding abuse that occurred when they were young,” the statement said. “We take these accusations very seriously and strongly believe they must be thoroughly investigated to ensure justice is served for both the alleged victims and the accused.”

House leaders noted that Roeber is currently not part of the House Republican Caucus, which will meet Dec. 14 to “discuss this issue and the options we have as a legislative body to address it.”

The House can expel a member with a two thirds vote. Short of that, House leadership could also exile him from the party by refusing to seat him on any committees or allow bills he files to progress through the legislative process.

Roeber has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He told The Kansas City Star, which first reported the accusations of abuse against him, that “neither party can block me from representing District 34.”

Schmitt Elected RAGA Vice Chair

Attorney General Eric Schmitt was elected Vice Chair of Republican Association of Attorneys General (RAGA) this week.  Tipster: [This] puts him in a position to be Chair for 2022 election year… [that’s] good for national fundraising and networking as he works to get more Republican AGs elected in what should be a good year for Rs.

Planning for Next Session

·         See the new Senate office assignments here.  Always interesting to see who wants to be in the hub-bub of the third floor, versus the relative quiet of the second or fourth floor.

·         Legislative Spring Break is slated for the week of March 15.

·         And there’s new hotel coming online for the new session… Marriott Courtyards.  See it here.

·         I’ve updated the MOScout Guide to New House Members with a few minor changes.  Find it here.

eMailbag on Kansas Analogy

Yes, there is a distinction made in KS between "mods" and "conservative" Republicans, but the August primary has made "mod" Republicans all but extinct in Topeka. Perhaps that distinction still exists among Republican voters, but it doesn't translate to those who are being sent to Topeka as Republicans.

Lobbyists Registrations

John Bardgett, Mark Habbas, Chris Roepe, Erika Leonard, and Jacqueline Bardgett added Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts.

Heath Clarkston, Doug Nelson, and Kurt Schaefer added Valerie Schlitt & Associates, and Twin River Management Group; and deleted AB46 Investments LLC, and Garcia Laboratory

$5K+ Contributions

Missourians for a New Approach - $12,400 from New Approach PAC.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from MO Six PAC (pro-Bernskoetter).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Dwight Scharnhorst, Tom Shively, and Terry Young.