MOScout Daily Update: Senate Grapples With Map - New House Committee - Wasson Files Quarter - New MOFOP Campaign - Reps Work Out Races and more...

Senate Grapples with Map

Act One of the Congressional Redistricting show played out yesterday in the Senate.  It started with a fiery exchange between Sens. Bob Onder and Caleb Rowden – a continuation of the animosity between the Conservative Caucus and the Republican Regulars.

Then, before the map was even introduced, opponents to the House map began a filibuster, lasting hours before the Senate took a recess.

Negotiations between the two camps (7-1ers, and House mappers) reached no conclusion and the Senate adjourned for the day.

My best assessment of where things sit according to some insiders who have a better handle on it than me…

·         CC has realized that there aren’t enough votes for 7-1 map.  RR realized that CC had enough people to stand that the “wait-them-out” strategy wasn’t an option.  So they spent the day looking for a compromise which proved fruitless.

·         One source says compromise talk centers on a “stronger” 6-2 map, the aim of which is to strengthen CD-2. 

·         But “shoring up” CD-2 without running afoul Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer in CD-3 appears to be vexing them.

·         Don’t look for any breakthrough today. 

From various observers…

·         Some want a no-prisoners approach: It’s a cluster for them, same old song and dance. A course is charted, it’s something that makes the overwhelming majority happy and at the 11th hour their leadership gets cold feet and tries to appease the extremist minority.

·         While others think that’s unworkable: That is a likely outcome, but filibusters with this many participants very rarely end by making them go till they drop. There is almost always a compromise that is hashed out.

·         Who will lead the way out?: There does not appear to be a winning strategy at this point. The best idea I’ve heard yet was an attempt by Andrew Koenig to draw a compromise map…

New House Public Policy Committee

Speaker Rob Vescovo created a new committee yesterday, The Special Committee on Public Policy.  It will be chaired by Rep. Scott Cupps, and will report to Rules – Administrative Oversight.  The other members are: Reps. Dottie Bailey (Vice-Chair), Ben Baker, Jason Chipman, Mark Ellebracht, Hannah Kelly, and Mark Sharp.

What It Means

One interpretation is that the speaker has created a vague committee full of members that he trusts.  It could create a quick vehicle if there’s a bill he wants to moves safely and speedily through the process – or a bill he wants to bury.

Keep an eye on what gets referred here.

Wasson To File Quarter

Jay Wasson, running in 7-CD, is filing his January quarter with the FEC today.  Here’s the press release…

Press release: Calling it a huge first step in Jay’s campaign to, “Put America first, again,” Wasson for Congress’ campaign manager, Mavis Busiek, announced the Christian County Republican’s congressional campaign brought in over $830 thousand dollars in its first quarter of operation. Busiek said the campaign starts the 2022 election year with over $803 thousand dollars in the bank. “These are just the beginning of the resources we will employ to help deliver Jay’s conservative message to voters.” Busiek added, “This outstanding level of support for the Wasson campaign is historic.” She notes it was the largest first quarter fundraising total for any Missouri Republican contested congressional candidate in state history…

In making her announcement of the campaign’s fundraising success, Busiek said the report filed with the FEC today will show funds brought in during the last quarter of 2021 by the campaign totaled $830,724.62, over $330 thousand in contributions, most from longtime conservatives across the district, plus $500,000 loaned to the campaign by the candidate. The campaign showed expenses of $27, 633.22 in the quarter, leaving a cash on hand balance of $803,091.40 to start the year…

MOFOP Starts Campaign

Victory Enterprises is working with the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police on a new campaign to boost support and awareness for the FOP across the state.

They are asking Missourians to join the MOFOP as “Community Members.”

Membership levels range from the “Officer” level ($45/annual) up to the Lifetime Membership for $750, with benefits including a license plate frame, stickers and hats.

Watch a Fox2 news story on it here.

MOFOP is hoping this is amplify their presence and ability to drive positive policy change at the local and state level.

Franklin Writes Off Campaign Loan

Former Rep. Diane Franklin has written off a loan she made to her campaign years ago.  It’s listed in the large contributions (below).

In terminating her campaign committee she forgave herself a large chunk (over $100K) of the loan.

Franklin lost a Republican primary for Senate 16 in 2018, placing second in a 3-way race.

Reps Deal With New Map

State representatives are working out ways to live with the new redistricting map. Several were paired into a new district together, creating the potential for a fierce primary between friendlies.

Reps. Ian Mackey and Sarah Unsicker have worked out their situation.

Mackey posted on Twitter he’d be running for House 99 (Ladue, 64% Dem voting), and Unsicker will run for House 83 (Maplewood, 64% Dem voting).

Look for more reps to announcement workarounds.

Germinder to Lexmark

On social media Rich Germinder announced a job change, and looks back a little bit…

Almost exactly five years ago to the day, I stepped outside my comfort zone and became the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources after serving for 10 years in the Missouri State Senate. These last five years has been a grand adventure, greatly challenging but also rewarding and full of personal and professional growth. But as with all things a new challenge awaits and when presented with a new opportunity I am again stepping outside my comfort zone and taking a bigger risk.

After 15 legislative sessions, I am stepping outside the Missouri State Capitol and government service and entering the private sector. Today I begin a new chapter in my career as I join the Lexmark Corporation as the Industry Consultant for State and Local Governments…

Lobbyists Registrations

Jonathan Dalton added Secured Finance Network.

Jim Gwinner added Signify Health.

James Harris added Westwoods Ancillary Global Resources.

Lauren Marquette added Susan G. Komen.

Scott Penman and Kaycee Nail added Missouri State Medical Association.         

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Leadership Forum - $7,500 from Gary Grewe.

Friends For Diane Franklin - $111,786 from Diane Franklin.

Committee for Liberty (pro-Jay Ashcroft) - $25,000 from Janet Ashcroft.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Jill Schupp, St. Louis City Alderman Dan Guenther, and Mary Scruggs.