MOScout Daily Update: The Case for Schmitt - CD-7: Dixon Out, Moon Mulling, Wasson Calling - AFL-CIO New Direction? and more...

The Case for Schmitt

While it’s still possible we’ll get an entry from Congressman Jason Smith, it’s starting to feel like the US Senate race field has finally firmed up.  Last weekend’s Remington Research/MOScout poll is likely the baseline poll for the primary in August 2022.

Eric Greitens led the five-way with 27%, followed by Eric Schmitt within the margin of error at 24%. 

There’s a case to be made that Schmitt is best positioned in this race.  Here’s that case…

·         For starters, Greitens, with his considerable baggage from resigning as governor, has little to no upside.  So the question becomes, if/when he fades, who can top him?  Schmitt’s that person in part by the process of elimination.

·         Mark McCloskey hasn’t been able to gain traction, either in polls or fundraising.

·         There’s scant evidence that Vicky Hartzler being the lone female is much of a demographic advantage in a Missouri Republican primary.

·         Folks that salivate over “bad votes” that Schmitt made in the state senate have to be honest that congressional candidates will have things in their voting record which can be used against them too.

·         As attorney general, Schmitt has the ability to take the issues of the day and generate action that the voters can see.  The mask mandate is the latest example of this.  Other candidates can shake their fists, but Schmitt can land on the front page as a “fighter.”

·         Finally, Schmitt has put together the most robust fundraising in the field, with strong numbers coming into both his candidate committee and his PAC.

Senate Wannabees Speak At DOL Dinner

At the Defense of Liberty dinner – a production of Sen. Bill Eigel and former Rep. Paul Curtman – the US Senate candidates all had a chance to make their pitch.  You can watch the speeches here.

·         One reader says that Billy Long’s claim that he was alone in being supportive of Trump back in 2016 has some SWMO GOP activists “incensed that Billy decided to trash them.”

More CD-7 Prospects

Dixon Out

Former state senator Bob Dixon writes on Facebook: I am deeply grateful for the interest and honored by those who have encouraged me to consider the 7th District Congressional race. After thoughtful consideration and discussion with close family and friends, I plan to stand for re-election as Presiding Commissioner of Greene County where I have made commitments to those who have trusted me. If opportunities present themselves in the future, I’ll give them every consideration.

Moon Considering

Sen. Mike Moon writes on Facebook: With the MO 7 Congressional District seat opening up, I’ve been encouraged to run.  I’m flattered to be considered. I’ll definitely think about running. I’ll have conversations with my family. And, I’ll definitely seek the Lord’s Wisdom, too.

Missouri needs to send someone to Washington who won’t back down. Someone who will fight for Freedom over Faucism, fair and free elections, and who will not rest until our troops are brought home.” Please pray with me, for wisdom, as I consider this important decision.

Wasson Making Calls

Former state senator Jay Wasson is apparently considering jumping in a well.  One source says that “he’s making calls about the race. Seriously thinking about it.”

New Direction for AFL-CIO?

NYTimes reports on the future of the AFL-CIO after the death of its president Richard Trumka.

·         For years, top union officials and senior staff members have split into two broad camps on this question. On one side are those who argue that the A.F.L.-C.I.O., which has about 12 million members, should play a supporting role for its constituent unions — that it should help build a consensus around policy and political priorities, lobby for them in Washington, provide research and communications support, and identify the best ways to organize and bargain.

·         On the other side of the debate are those who contend that the federation should play a leading role in building the labor movement — by investing resources in organizing more workers; by gaining a foothold in new sectors of the economy; by funding nontraditional worker organizations, like those representing undocumented workers; and by forging deeper alliances with other progressive groups, like those promoting civil rights causes.

·         As president, Mr. Trumka identified more with the first approach…  Liz Shuler, who has served as acting president since Mr. Trumka’s death and hopes to succeed him, is said to have a similar orientation.

·         But as the federation contemplates its future, there is one inescapable fact that may color the discussion: Mr. Trumka’s approach did not appear to be resolving an existential crisis for the U.S. labor movement, in which unions represent a mere 7 percent of private-sector workers.

·         “American workers’ level of collective bargaining coverage is not comparable to that of any other similar democracy,” said Larry Cohen, a former president of the Communications Workers of America. “If you’re not there to grow, you’re in trouble. You’re just playing defense. You’ll be here till someone turns the lights out.”

State Worker Pay Raise

Post-Dispatch reports on the yet unveiled state worker pay raise package from the Parson Administration.  See it here.

·         For two years, Gov. Mike Parson asked lawmakers to set aside money in the state budget to finance a program to reward top-performing workers at state agencies….  In 2021, the Republican-controlled House and Senate relented, inserting $2.4 million into the various agency budgets to help boost the wages of the nation’s lowest-paid state workforce.

·         But in an unexpected reversal, Parson vetoed the money.  “Alternative performance-based incentive structures are being analyzed in an effort to maximize this targeted investment in recruiting and retaining state employees,” he wrote in a June 30 veto message.

·         What exactly might be on the table, however, remains under wraps. And a timeline for launching an alternative plan is unknown. Meanwhile, state agencies continue to struggle with high turnover rates at prisons, child welfare agencies and other core functions.  “We are currently reviewing a host of initiatives, like performance-based incentives, with our cabinet leaders. We have yet to complete further discussion of performance-based incentives at this time but will be continuing the conversation into the fall,” Parson spokeswoman Kelli Jones said last week.

eMailbag on Emery

There is so much to remember about Ed Emery. His character was blemish free and his energy was positive, for good, and appeared unending. If you didn’t learn how to be a better person by watching Ed, I’m sorry because that means you didn’t get to know him. We miss him as a Senator and certainly will now miss him as a person.

Lobbyists Registrations

David Sweeney added St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council.

David Schrock deleted Janus Capital Management LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Lyndall Fraker.