MOScout Daily Update: Fitzpatrick's Leadership Team - Malek Moves - Who's Close to New Floor Leaders and more...

Exclusive: Fitz’ Leadership Team

Auditor-elect Scott Fitzpatrick is bringing his top lieutenants with him from the treasurer’s office.  Here’s a look at his leadership team…

Mike Price – Deputy State Auditor.

·       He’s currently Fitz’ deputy state treasurer.

·       Started his state government career in the auditor’s office as a staff auditor, and then spent went to House appropriations staff.

Brandon Alexander – Chief of Staff.

·       He’s currently Fitz’ chief of staff in the Treasurer’s office.

·       Started his career as a legislative assistant in the House (for Tony Dugger), worked for Victory Enterprises, and then was Jay Ashcroft’s Director of Elections in SOS.

Leslie Korte – General Counsel.

·       She’s currently Fitz’ general counsel in the treasurer’s office.

·       Started her career in House research, then worked at Supreme Court under Betsy Aubuchon, before becoming Rob Vescovo’s chief of staff when he was floor leader.

Nicole Hackmann – Assistant Deputy State Auditor.

·       She’s served as the director of banking in the treasurer’s office for over 30 years.

·       She’s a CPA, and a state government finance and accounting expert.

What It Means

Fitz is obviously keen on keeping the folks he’s come to trust and rely on. But that’s a lot of brain power Fitzpatrick is taking out the door. Treasurer-designate Vivek Malek has some big holes to fill in a short amount of time.

Floor Leaders’ Ears

With new floor leaders in each chamber, here’s a look at folks who have their confidence.

Senate Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin

·       Aaron Baker – Helped recruit her to run for Senate to begin with.  He’s been a long-time friend of O’Laughlin, so close, he’s “basically a part of her family.”

·       Drew Dampf – Chief of staff, obviously has her ear.

·       Kate Casas – Kate’s superpower is trust.

House Floor Leader Jon Patterson

·       Jean Evans – Knocked door for Patterson during his very first election, a true friendship.

·       Casey Burns – Fundraiser for Patterson, but also helped him in his floor leader election.

·       David Jackson – Straight-shooting lobbyist with a huge client list.

Malek Moves

Treasurer-designate Vivek Malek spent Christmas in Cape Girardeau, handing out meals.  See it here.  It shows the hustle he’s going to bring to introduce himself across the state.  It’s a sprint between now and the 2024 election.

Meanwhile…

One MOScouter reader point to another potential line of attack on Malek: his relationship with former Rep. Nathan Cooper.  Malek is the registered agent for a couple companies with ties to Cooper.  One of those companies, Gateway Residences LLC, was featured in the Riverfront Times several years ago, raising questions about Cooper’s maintenance of his properties.

·       Cooper also pled guilty to felony charges, including immigration fraud back in 2007.   

Lots of Contenders for Senate 27

One MOScouter says he doesn’t see Rep. Jaime Burger as the front-runner to replace Sen. Holly Rehder – should she choose not to run for re-election in 2024.

·       “He has spent more years as an elected Democrat than Republican and would be running in a district that has historically been held by someone from Cape.”

·       Other names include: Reps. Barry Hovis, John Voss, and Rick Francis.  And…  “Get three or four of those men in and it would be ripe for a woman from Cape or another population-heavy county to run.”

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson announced he will appoint James Eftink as Associate Circuit Judge for Cass County in the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Lobbyists Registrations

Dustin Backes added Gateway Air Conditioning Contractors.

Sean Stephenson added Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA).

David Usher added David Usher.

Mark Johnston deleted Missouri Insurance Coalition, and National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Lou Fusz Properties LLC.

Missouri Forward PAC (pro-Rowden) - $10,000 from Caesars Enterprise Services LLC (Las Vegas, NV).

Missouri Alliance PAC (pro-Patterson) - $7,500 from Burns & McDonnell.

Legal Missouri 2022 - $10,000 from Gron Chocolate LLC (Portland, OR)

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Jay Barnes and Tricia Derges.