MOScout Daily Update: Justice's Hardcore Ad - Lovasco Eyes Qualified Immunity - More on Eigel Primary - MedEx Endorsements - MRL Endorsements- IE PACs Updated and more...

Justice’s First Ad: Liberals Crazier Than Sprayed Roach

In Senate 25, Eddy Justice has released his first TV ad.  It’s memorable, and could create some buzz. See it here. 

He calls himself a “hardcore conservative.”  The ad is hardcore.  It starts with a punch at “liberal geniuses” who want to “abolish the police.”  “They’re crazier than a sprayed roach.”  He’s pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Trump, pro-MAGA. 

·         The tag: “Liberals whine about justice; Giv’em Eddy Justice.”

What It Means

Justice is staking out the far-right lane.  It’s the obvious place to be in a Republican primary.  It’ll be interesting to see how Jason Bean approaches the race.  One observer thinks he’s going to brand himself as the “farmer,” letting Jeff Shawan and Justice fight over who’s farther right. We’ll see…

Lovasco Looks at Qualified Immunity

Rep. Tony Lovasco on Twitter says that he’s stripping police of their qualified immunity is one his list for next session.  See it here.

It'll be tricky to get the wording done properly as to not have unintended consequences, but I think it can be done.

Lovasco is a libertarian leaning Republican.  I wouldn’t expect that most Republicans would be willing to take on the police union with this issue.

Here’s a primer on the issue of qualified immunity for police.

Follow-Up on Eigel Poll

Incumbent support levels track very closely to favorability levels whether its state senate or president. You didn’t ask about Bill Eigel’s—but if you had, they would have shown around 33/3 (fav/unfav).

Compare that to the fav/unfav of some recent 8-year incumbents you’ve tracked. Take Gina Walsh—fav/unfav of 27/4. Believe it or not if she were running against Eric Wulff and Dan O’Connell she likely wouldn’t do much better than Eigel... still, a 26 point lead 40 days before an election is pretty good…

Update IE PAC

The Independent Expenditure PAC list has been updated again.  Find it here.

It now includes the pro-Mike Cunningham PAC, Expand Missouri PAC.

What does a termed state senator need an IE PAC for?  I’m told that he’s going to stay active and help candidates.  Cunningham has endorsed Rep. Karla Eslinger to replace him in Senate 33.

UFCW Checks

In the large contributions today the United Food & Commercial Workers union sent $10K checks to the IE PACs for Doug Beck in Senate 1, and Deb Lavender in Senate 15.

And

The current downturn in the economy has impacted the various unions very differently. 

·         UFCW workers have generally not seen their hours diminished but are dealing with workplace hazards, especially in the meatpacking sector.

·         Unite Here has hotel workers and gaming facilities which were closed or severely curtailed.

·         The construction trades have remained relatively active because so much work is outdoors, but there’s concern that the recession may bring squeeze in the months ahead.

MRL Starts Endorsements

Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committee released their initial endorsements.  They endorsed the Republican statewide slate of incumbents.  We should be getting the state rep and state senate endorsements as early as today, which could be meaningful in primaries.

New MedEx Endorsements

Press release: Thirteen national patient advocacy groups on Monday joined the ever-growing coalition in support of the Yes on 2 vote for Missouri Medicaid expansion. “Voters have a remarkable opportunity on August 4 to make healthcare coverage available to Missourians who need it,” the groups said in a joint statement. “We encourage them to vote ‘Yes’ on Amendment 2 and expand access to high-quality and affordable healthcare.”   The statement was issued by these organizations: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, American Lung Association,

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Hemophilia Federation of America, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Missouri, National Hemophilia Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Organization for Rare Disorders, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure…

Roe in the Mix?

One MOScouter reading Vanity Fair’s latest article about a possible shake-up in the Trump campaign writes, “He’s not mentioned, but if Trump fires Brad Parscale, I’m betting you’ll hear Jeff Roe’s name in the mix to take a leadership role...”

Old Wheeler License Plate

Ever wanted to own a license plate from a Missouri state senator?  Here’s your chance.  Current bid $69.  See it here.

New Committees

Dale Schaper formed a candidate committee (Together With Schaper) to run for House 63 as a Republican.

$5K+ Contributions

HUB Employees PAC - $10,000 from LPC Inc.

HUB Employees PAC - $7,500 from Exelco Leasing.

HUB Employees PAC - $7,700 from Tayco Investments.

DougPac - $10,000 from UFCW Local 655 Elect Club.

Change STL PAC - $5,001 from AGC of MO PAC.

Republican Central Committee of St Louis County - $5,200 from Penny Henke.

Purple PAC - $10,000 from United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 655.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Kevin Engler, Nick King, and Rachel Hassani.