MOScout Daily Update: Schmitt Continues Anti-Mask Crusade - Fitz Adds Support - Bootheel Questions Census - Walsh Funeral Arrangements
Schmitt Continues Anti-Mask Crusade
Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed suit against the Columbia Public Schools calling their mask mandate arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful.
The move drew a response from the White House: "We've seen, including recently I think today or yesterday in Missouri, additional steps taken that in our view put more kids at risk. The president thinks that's completely unacceptable."
That drew a witty twitter remark from Jason Klindt: “[Does the Schmitt campaign] have to list this as an in-kind contribution to his campaign?”
It’s hard to imagine anything better for Schmitt’s US Senate primary run than getting into a spat with Biden White House.
I have written before that one of Schmitt’s chief advantages in the race is his ability to “make news” from the platform of his current office. While Mark McCloskey and Eric Greitens are left to tweet and youtube their distain for masks, Schmitt can file suit and get press coverage. It makes him a real “fighter” for the cause, not just a talker.
And Schmitt’s stance on the issue is synch with the Republican electorate.
Last weekend’s Remington/MOScout poll asked how Missourians felt about schools requiring students to wear masks. Republicans were strongly against it (and Dems were strongly in favor). Here’s how Republicans responded (with Dems in parenthesis).
Q4: Some schools are mandating that students wear masks. How do you feel about this?
I think schools should mandate mask wearing: 13% (72%)
I do not think schools should mandate mask wearing: 68% (14%)
I think each school district should be able to decide: 12% (11%)
Not sure: 6% (2%)
Fitz Announces New Support
Team Fitz announced more endorsements yesterday. Campaign manager Steele Shippy tweeted that several prominent Republicans were behind Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick’s bid to become auditor.
· Former Speaker of the House Elijah Haahr.
· Former Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder.
· Former Sen. Brad Lager.
· Former Speaker of the House Todd Richardson.
DAR: Bootheel Census Decline Due to Distraction?
Daily American Republic reports on the census numbers showing a population decline in Missouri’s Bootheel. See it here.
· Butler County may have reported a small dip in population under 2020 census counts, but that may not be reason for concern. “I think we fell victim in our area largely to people not being counted,” said Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce…
· This was the first year the census collection efforts moved online, Halter noted, and much of Southeast Missouri still struggles with good internet access. The COVID-19 pandemic also likely distracted many people who may have participated in the process, he believes…
· Halter also finds it hard to believe that some surrounding counties have seen the double-digit drops accounted for in the new data. Ripley County saw the greatest decline in the state, according to the numbers, with 24% fewer people compared to a decade ago...
· Halter noted that areas like Ripley County and Butler County have both seen new businesses open despite the economic stress of the pandemic, a sign he believes indicates positive trends for the area.
Schlafly Fight
Post-Dispatch reports on the ongoing litigation around the estate and legacy of Phyllis Schlafly.
· In a nine-page ruling, the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District affirmed a lower court decision that sought to stop one of the conservative icon’s children from collecting her share of an inheritance…
· The siblings and others have been entangled in litigation stemming from a fight over Phyllis Schlafly’s political legacy. That fight came to a head amid Trump’s 2016 election campaign, when the siblings split over support of Trump in the GOP primary. Phyllis Schlafly publicly backed Trump, a position at odds with Cori and other board members of the Eagle Forum, Schlafly’s Alton-based conservative think tank.
· Those board members worried that the aging Schlafly was being influenced by long-time Missouri politico Ed Martin, whom Schlafly had brought in as the Eagle Forum’s president and who was an enthusiastic Trump supporter….
Walsh Funeral Arrangements
Mr. Steven Shaune “Steve” Walsh, 63, of Ashland passed away Thursday, August 19, 2021 at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City. Steve’s beloved wife, Missouri State Representative Sara Walsh of District 50, shared an abiding love that was united by faith in God, mutual admiration, and complete dedication to one another. They were the proud “parents” of their adopted dog, Wish. Steve was a loving and faithful husband. He was a devout and faithful follower of his Lord Jesus Christ and his faithfulness to God, country, and family were the hallmark of his life.
Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Missouri. Family & Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the church. Interment will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Jefferson City.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Missouri Right to Life in Steve’s memory.
New Committees
Friends of Jeffco was formed. Its treasurer is James Prater.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri A/C and Mechanical Contractors - $10,000 from Lee Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from United Healthcare Svs Inc.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Accel Entertainment Gaming LLC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,500 from Committee to Elect Bruce DeGroot.
Lobbyist Registrations
Ben Taube added Banc of America Public Capital Corp.
Christine Fallabel added Dexcom.
Michael Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Red Tractor Investment LLC.
Kennedy Moore added NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.
Scott Penman and Kaycee Nail deleted Parents As Teachers National Center.
Scott Penman deleted Health Management Systems.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Josh Peters and Candice Doenges.