MOScout Daily Update: Moon Announces in CD-7 - Wiemann Kicks Off for Senate 2 - Hill Trolls Anthem - Politico on MO Sen Primary - More on MJ Fight and more...
Moon Announces in CD7
Sen. Mike Moon announced that he’s running in CD-7 to replace Billy Long, who’s running for US Senate.
See his announcement video here.
The video hits the usual red meat themes, declaring for example that China and Fauci both were bad actors in the COVID crisis.
Still, the ad does a good job of capturing Moon’s persona… “I love southwest Missouri and I would never trade a day on the ranch for a cocktail hour in DC, but to keep Washington liberals from destroying all of this, we need to fight back with all we’ve got…”
Moon becomes the second to formally declare his candidacy, joining Dr. Sam Alexander. Former state senator Jay Wasson has been organizing his campaign and will announce at some point. Sen. Eric Burlison is expected to run as well. And Joelle Cannon is said to be making her decision soon.
Wiemann Kicks Off Senate Bid
Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann kicked off his state senate campaign last night in Cottleville. One reader estimates a crowd of “between 150-200 people present. Diverse group of supporters present including Steve Ehlmann and Bill Eigel.”
Press release: “We need more constitutional conservative leaders in the Missouri State Senate who understand the importance of a limited government that gives all Missourians the freedom and opportunities to achieve the American Dream,” Wiemann said. “Politics attracts a lot of talkers, but government needs more effective doers and solution finders – leaders who can advance good conservative policies that empower people, not the government."
· The lines will be important in this race as both Reps. Nick Schroer and Justin Hill are eying the same seat.
Hill Trolls Anthem
On Facebook, Rep. Justin Hill links to an Anthem job posting… “Anyone looking for a good paying job? Anthem, Inc. is hiring a Government Relations Director of Inclusive Advocacy starting at $142,000 per year. The job is to support inclusive policy and social drivers of health. Sounds pretty easy. I wonder if they will hire a conservative?”
FYI
Among Anthem’s Jeff City lobbyists: John DeStefano (worked in Trump White House), James Harris (long-time Republican operative), Josh Haynes (worked as Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson’s chief of staff), Meghan McCann (worked in Trump White House) and Shawn Rhoads (former Republican legislator). Not exactly a hotbed of liberalism…
More on Marijauna Fight
One MOScouter notes that Fair Access’ initiative petition filings don’t inspire confidence that they have the capability to pull off a ballot initiative.
· Nine of their ten filings have been rejected by the Secretary of State’s Office. See the listing here. “The only one that’s still in play is a medical marijuana initiative.”
· Their campaign committee only have about $5,000 in cash, with $37,000 in debts. It’s unclear where they would muster the millions necessary for signature collection.
Politico on MO Primary
Politico reports on US Senate primaries where “Republican senators are retiring [and] the primary election fields to succeed them are crowded with Donald Trump supporters who have made loyalty to the former president a cornerstone of their campaigns.” Missouri makes the script.
· Already that dynamic is leading to tensions in Missouri, where GOP officials worry the candidacy of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens — who resigned office amid a 2018 sex scandal — will jeopardize the party’s chances of holding Blunt’s seat. Greitens, the Republican primary frontrunner, made it clear in a March radio interview that he has no intention of following in the footsteps of Blunt, a deal-maker and close McConnell ally.
· “Unfortunately, Roy Blunt has been out siding with Mitch McConnell,” the former governor said. “He’s been criticizing the president of the United States over what happened on Jan. 6. He’s been criticizing the president of the United States for not coming to Joe Biden's inauguration, where obviously, everyone in Missouri, saw Roy Blunt there.”
· All of the Republicans seeking the Missouri Senate seat are different in style and tone from Blunt, said Republican former state Sen. John Lamping. “Roy is a super-super insider and that’s not what the base wants,” Lamping said. “No one is running to be a Roy Blunt senator. They’re running to be a Donald Trump senator. If somebody becomes a serious threat, they’ll be accused by their opponents of being more like Roy Blunt.”
Hartzler Announces Endorsement
The Vicky Hartzler for Senate campaign today announced Penny Nance has endorsed Vicky for U.S. Senate…
Penny Nance is a national leader in the pro-life movement, a recognized authority on cultural, children’s, and women’s issues, and serves as CEO and President of the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, Concerned Women for America.
The announcement notes that this is just from Nance not the Concerned Women for America.
Lobbyists Registrations
Edward Reilly Nix added Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Chris Moody, Jessica Pabst, Jay Reichard, Ginger Steinmetz and Noel Torpey added Husch Blackwell LLP.
Jessica Pabst added Missouri Primary Care Association.
Brittany Robbins added Tremco Incorporated, The Home Loan Expert LLC, and City of Arnold.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.
UFCW Local 655 Elect Club - $5,020 from ufcw local 655.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rachel Klarich and Brian McCallister.