MOScout Daily Update: Bailey Adds Hawley Aide to AG's Office - More on 2024 Senate Race - Aldridge for Alderman and more...
Just a real quick update. And I’m off for a long holiday weekend. See y’all Tuesday…
First in MOScout: Bailey Adds Hawley Aide to Administration
Incoming Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is set to announce that Josh Divine will become the new Solicitor General. Divine currently is chief counsel to Senator Josh Hawley. He previously served in the AG’s office under Hawley. Divine’s resume includes a stint clerking for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
· John Sauer, the current Solicitor General, will stay on as Deputy Attorney General for Special Litigation.
More on Senate Races 2024
· Post-Dispatch reports that Rep. Phil Christofanelli announced that he’s definitely running for Senate 23 (Sen. Bill Eigel termed). “I have spent the last six years working to deliver on some of the priorities for St. Charles County, including keeping our taxes low and providing school choice and accountability to parents… the best way I can continue that service is in the Missouri Senate.”
· Meanwhile in Senate 27, some see Sen. Holly Rehder running for statewide office in 2024. If she makes that leap, it would open up that southeast district for a hot Republican primary. Rep. Jamie Burger would be a front-runner to replace her. Right now, however, Burger is focused on his role next session as House Assistant Majority Floor Leader – with plans to run for Floor Leader in two years.
Aldridge for Alderman
Post-Dispatch reports that, as rumored, Rep. Rasheed Aldridge will run for alderman in the Spring.
Aldridge said that after three years of playing mostly defense as a Democrat in the Republican-dominated Missouri House, he wants to go on offense for progressive priorities here at a time when St. Louis voters are embracing them.
What It Means
· If he’s successful, Governor Mike Parson is unlikely to call a special election for the race, leaving House 78 unrepresented until the 2024 election.
· One less vote won’t be a big deal to House Dems. Their position as superminority is mostly about peeling off Republicans to deny them enough votes in certain situations.
Lobbyists Registrations
Jordan Banegas added Institute For Justice.
Lynne Schlosser added The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
$5K+ Contributions
Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $10,000 from Paladin PAC.
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $15,000 from Ameren Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Casey Burns.
Saturday: Paul Wieland, Lindell Shumake, Caitlin Whaley, and Joe Palm.
Sunday: David Christian.
Monday: Sen-elect Tracy McCreery, Jacob Scott, Todd Richardson, Ben Travlos, and Stanley Cox.
MOScout Schedule
I’m taking off for a longggg weekend. Be back Tuesday. (Next week will be a short week too).