MOScout Daily Update: Beck Wins Asst Floor - Gregory for Senate 15 - Nicola for Senate 11 - MEDA Posts ED Job and more...
Beck Wins Assistant Floor
Senate Democrats re-elected Sen. John Rizzo to his position as Minority Leader. Sens. Angela Mosley and Steven Roberts were also re-elected to their positions of Caucus Chair and Caucus Whip, respectively.
The only change was at the assistant floor position. There Sen. Doug Beck prevailed. He replaces Sen. Brian Williams, who one source says wanted to remain that the spot. However, Williams was apparently absent from the meeting – on the trade mission with Governor Mike Parson. And Beck “with the help of labor” was able to secure the votes.
Why It Matters
When Rizzo is termed in two years, Beck is now best positioned to become the next minority floor leader.
Gregory Eyes Senate 15
Rep. David Gregory formed a new candidate committee (Gregory for Missouri) to run for Senate 15 in 2024. Gregory lost to Scott Fitzpatrick in the Republican primary for auditor last summer.
The newly redistricted Senate 15 has shifted northwestward, and no longer contains Gregory’s House district. Kirkwood and Sunset Hills are gone now. Ballwin remains, but the district now covers Wildwood and Chesterfield. Gregory has reportedly bought a new house in Chesterfield.
Gregory will enter the race with a large pile of cash on-hand. His PAC, Show Me Growth PAC, showed $145,000 in the bank in its most recent filing.
· Word is that Gregory is among those to be interviewed for the coming vacancy for attorney general. But assuming that doesn’t happen, it’s a safe bet that he’s running for state senate in 2024.
Nicola for Senate 11?
Also filing papers with the Missouri Ethics Commission is Joe Nicola. He recently lost (50% to 30%) to Sen. Mike Cierpiot in a feisty Republican primary in Senate 8.
Now, according to the paperwork, he’s planning to run for Senate 11.
This is where Sen. John Rizzo will be termed out in 2024. And because of redistricting, the district’s future representation will likely be determined by the Republican primary. Independence is the population base of the district which extends to cover the entire northwest portion of Jackson County. Donald Trump won the district by 11 points in 2020.
Clearly some Republicans weren’t happy with Nicola’s insurgent challenge to Cierpiot. We’ll see how they respond to his potential candidacy in Senate 11.
Schmitt’s Strength
Team Schmitt is very pleased with his Election Night victory, a solid double-digit winning margin despite being “severely outspent (over 3.5-1) with Valentine pouring millions of her family fortune into the race. On television alone, the Valentine campaign spent over $6.4 million, while Schmitt’s campaign spent $1.8 million. Despite begin massively outspent, Schmitt’s campaign did not drain the national party apparatuses (NRSC, RNC), which allowed Republicans nationally to focus and spend more on other key contests.”
But what will Schmitt do with his strength?
· Will he work to bolster a statewide apparatus and create a Schmitt wing to the Missouri Republican Party?
· Will he put his head down in Washington DC, raise money, and plot a way up the leadership ladder?
· Will he hone his soundbites on Fox News marketing himself to a national audience for an audition on the presidential stage some day in the future?
Help Wanted
The Missouri Energy Development Association (MEDA) seeks a strategic and results-oriented leader to serve as its executive director. This professional will be a registered lobbyist responsible for working with MEDA’s members to advance the organization’s legislative and regulatory priorities. The ideal candidate should have a track record of success in issue advocacy, coalition building, public policy development and analysis, and relationship management. Candidates should have 10+ years of experience in the private or public sector, including a lobby firm, corporation, non-profit organization, or government. Experience working on issues related to utilities and infrastructure is strongly preferred. The executive director will be an independent contractor with an annual contract; candidates who are contract lobbyists may retain existing clients and/or take on new clients, provided clients do not conflict with responsibilities and performance as MEDA executive director. To apply or inquire about the opportunity please email MEDAapplication@gmail.com.
Note: This is a change from MEDA’s previous structure with a full-time president; the executive director will be an independent contractor with other clients.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson made two judicial appointments…
· Mr. Calan T. McConkey, of Liberty, was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit.
· The Honorable T. Todd Myers, of Springfield, was appointed as Circuit Judge for the 31st Judicial Circuit.
eMailbag: Case for Bailey
Seems like a slam dunk for Parson—his top lawyer, Army veteran, former prosecutor, and active member of the Federalist Society. Not to mention he’s earned the respect of many high profile attorneys in the state.
eMailbag on House GOP Woes
Whole-heartedly agree with the note on candidate quality. Several of the weak GOP candidates in competitive districts did not have a primary—recruitment matters. Honestly the GOP dodged a bullet on some of those candidates not joining their caucus…
Lobbyists Registrations
Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, and Christopher Schoeman added BesaMe Wellness Missouri Inc.
Meghan McCann deleted IGT, Utility Strategic Missouri, and Elevance Health and Its Affiliates dba Anthem, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Majority Forward - $50,000 from UAW V CAP.
Great Outdoors PAC - $9,200 from Green Four Ventures LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Lyda Krewson.
Congratulations
To Brittiany and husband GovWatcher Chris on the birth of their son Lincoln Douglas Galloway. And congrats to grandpapa Doug Galloway too.