MOScout Daily Update: Bruce Enters CD-4 - Griesheimer for Senate 26 - Eggleston Antes $100K - STL Seeks Afghan Refugees and more...
Bruce Enters CD-4
Kalena Bruce is announcing she’s running for the 4th Congressional this morning. Who the who?
According to her campaign press release, she’s “a mother, cattle farmer, and business owner… a 5th generation farmer who lives in Stockton, Missouri, with her husband, Billy, and their daughter.”
· See an introductory video here, which includes a segment in which Donald Trump gives her a shout-out in a speech.
Bruce is the fourth declared candidates in the race, joining Taylor Burks, and Commissioner Ryan Johnson, and Rep. Sara Walsh.
What It Means
The field is still in flux – a couple state senators are weighing an entry as well - and the lines are not yet drawn. But Bruce’s team touts her as someone who could corner a niche and perhaps win in a crowded scrum…
-Only candidate currently in the race that has never held/ran for public office
-Only agriculture candidate in the race with strong ties to state and national agriculture groups
-Only candidate from the southern end of the district
-Worked with the Trump administration on the Trump Tax Cut, met with the President on three different occasions, and was recognized the President because of those efforts
Griesheimer for Senate
Rep. Aaron Griesheimer announced he’s running for state senate. “Serving as the State Representative for the 61st District has been a great honor and privilege for me. Now, after much time in prayer and many discussions with my family, I'm excited to announce my candidacy for State Senate! I believe in common-sense conservative leadership and embrace my role as a public servant. Your support would mean the world to me…”
What It Means
Griesheimer is the second candidate to declare for the Franklin County seat (line, of course, not yet drawn). The first was restauranteur turned anti-mask activist Ben Brown. Incumbent Dave Schatz is termed.
· Griesheimer is seen as more moderate than Brown, though his introductory video goes through the Republican ritual of paying homage to Donald Trump.
· Griesheimer has deep ties in the community, and will likely receive business support. His father served in the Senate.
· Brown could be the beneficiary of the Conservative Caucus’ efforts to influence Republican primaries.
Former Rep. Dave Hinson – now a county commissioner – is also mentioned as a possible candidate.
Parson For Fitz?
A few folks wonder if Governor Mike Parson special guesting at the Scott Fitzpatrick fundraiser next month is being overplayed. They note that Parson has been on the host committee for a couple different US Senate candidates, and see it less of an endorsement and more of a courtesy. We’ll see…
What It Means
Assuming the current field remains, the race will likely be determined by money. Fitzpatrick starts with a modest name ID lead, but the Remington/MOScout poll shows huge undecideds. It’s unlikely that endorsements matter much in this race. The bigger question: who can raise the money to reach voters statewide?
Eggleston Antes $100K
In the large contributions (below) Rep. J Eggleston put $100,000 into his campaign committee. Eggleston is running for termed Sen. Dan Hegeman’s seat in 2022. Of course, even without the lines yet drawn, the money will send a message to would-be rivals that Eggleston intends to make it to the other side of the building.
Shields Adds MSBA
Brandt Shields, son of Rep. Brenda Shields and State Board of Education President Charlie Shields, registered to represent Missouri School Board Association.
According to Linkedin, Shields was District Director for Senator Roy Blunt. Before that he was Director of External Relations for Missouri Western State University.
STL Hearts Afghans
Social media has been full of St. Louisans clamoring to be a resettlement location for Afghans. Arindam Kar tweets that St Louis has made the initial list of 19 cities which will receive he refugees.
Folks, an update: #STL is 1 of 19 communities selected to resettle Afghan SIV [Special Immigrant Visas] holders. It's just the 1st step, but on behalf of the [International Institute] & its partners, thank you for your unwavering support to make our home a welcoming community. Much more work to do.
Why It Matters
30 years ago, an influx of Bosnians fleeing a civil war helped revitalize parts of the city with new energy and new businesses. City residents imagine a similar impact from a wave of Afghani immigrants. Labor is one of the key ingredients of economic growth.
Signs of the Times
· Politico reports… As coronavirus cases surge around the country, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one of Washington’s largest trade groups, moved Monday to require anyone who enters its headquarters across from the White House — staff or guest — to show proof of vaccination.
· Kaiser Health News reports… The nation’s roiling tensions over vaccination against covid-19 have spilled into an unexpected arena: lifesaving blood transfusions. With nearly 60% of the eligible U.S. population fully vaccinated, most of the nation’s blood supply is now coming from donors who have been inoculated, experts said. That’s led some patients who are skeptical of the shots to demand transfusions only from the unvaccinated, an option blood centers insist is neither medically sound nor operationally feasible.
DED Seeks Comm Director
Department of Economic Development seeks Communications Director. Missouri’s Department of Economic Development (DED) is hiring a Communications Director to develop and drive communications strategies and promote Missouri’s economic development efforts. This leader will partner with DED’s Director and other key partners to ensure DED’s communications activities are supporting economic development priorities and DED’s mission of helping Missourians prosper. The Communications Director will lead a small team of professionals who have expertise in writing, design, and multi-media communication. See the ad here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Brandt Shields added Missouri School Boards' Association.
$5K+ Contributions
Jackson County Democratic Committee - $6,500 from MSCEW PAC Federal Committee.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Drury Development Corporation.
Citizens for Eggleston - $100,000 from J Eggleston.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Pat Thomas and Charles Denison.