MOScout Daily Update: Kauerauf Resigns, Moore Take DHSS Reins - Burli's 666 Draws Concerns - Burks Leads CD-4 COH and more...
SNOW DAY!
I slept in. Hopefully you did too, and are enjoying a quiet day. Here’s a quick rundown….
Kauerauf Nomination Dies
Sen. Mike Moon held the Senate floor for hours yesterday to doom Governor Mike Parson’s nomination of Don Kauerauf. Kauerauf had become a lightning rod for Missourians who felt the government’s reaction to COVID was too heavy-handed.
Kauerauf unequivocally stated his opposition to mask mandates and vaccine mandates. However, his insistence that he wanted more Missourians to get vaccinated and vague questions about his wife’s occupation in the public health field stirred concern among some conservatives. Moon, in particular, called the vaccine as “experimental” and would seemingly prefer Missouri’s Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services to view medical breakthroughs more skeptically.
Parson lashed out at the Senate. The events that have transpired over the past few days surrounding Don's Senate confirmation hearing are nothing short of disgraceful, unquestionably wrong, and an embarrassment to this state and the people we serve. I've been a conservative Republican my entire life and contrary to what some Senators believe, tarnishing a man's character by feeding misinformation, repeating lies, and disgracing 35 years of public health experience is not what it means to be conservative. Don is a public health expert that is on record opposing masking requirements and COVID-19 vaccine mandates. He is outspokenly pro-life and morally opposed to abortion. Missourians know that I share these beliefs and would not have nominated someone who does not share the same Christian values. Yet, Senators chose to believe baseless rumors and outright lies on social media rather than the facts in front of them…
Parson appointed Richard Moore as acting director. Moore is well-known, and well-liked, in the building.
What It Means
· There’s a deep pessimism in the hallways. This just feeds the gloom. One lobbyist: Wonder when the last time was that it was February 1st without a single Senate bill being brought up for perfection? Nobody outside of Jefferson City politicos knows or cares who to “blame,” they don’t understand inner party caucuses, and will never remember who was in leadership. They just see the GOP as a train wreck on a path to destroy their majority with childish behavior.
· And the road forward doesn’t look any easier. When the Senate returns it still must tackle the congressional redistricting which has eluded an easy compromise. And there’s an upcoming deadline on the supplemental budget.
· Dems’ heads are exploding over the turn of events. On the one hand, the disintegrating Senate makes it less likely that noxious legislation will pass. On the other, there’s a fuming in the direction of the state. All the “COVID tyranny” talk has come home to roost, and you can’t even confirm a pro-vaccination health director. Then the governor defends his choice saying of course he’d only appoint someone with Christian values, oblivious to the fact that some Missouri citizens are Jewish, Muslim etc.
More Quarters
In CD-4, Taylor Burks raised $229,227 – that’s the most of anyone in this race. He finished with $309K on-hand, and $76K in debt. Burks was near the bottom of the field (4%) in the Remington/MOScout CD-4 poll last month. But he has the most cash on-hand, and there was huge undecided in that poll so we’ll see if he can gain some traction.
In CD-2, Congresswoman Ann Wagner cranked out another big quarter $568K raised, now with $1.5 million on-hand.
The top two Dems vying to take on Wagner… Trish Gunby raised $99K and now has $75K on-hand. While Ben Samuels raised $234K and now has $689K. Presumably Samuels money advantage will overwhelm Gunby in the primary. We’ll see…
Burlison’s 666 Draws Opposition
Sen. Eric Burlison’s SB 666 drew sharp opposition from prosecutors yesterday worried that shifting the burden of proving self-defense would undermine their ability to bring murders to justice.
Sen. Brian Williams was astounded by the bill, breaking decorum in committee to declare, “This bill is complete bullshit.”
US Senate candidate Mark McCloskey testified in favor of the bill, recounting once again his encounter with a Black Lives Matter protest. Text from politico: Love him or hate him but you have to respect McCloskeys relentless adherence to his message.
Read Post-Dispatch coverage here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Heath Clarkston, Doug Nelson, and Kurt Schaefer added Missouri Farm Bureau.
Danny Pfeifer, Alex Eaton, Rebecca Lohmann, Greg Porter, Jasmine Wells and David Willis added JPMorgan Chase Holdings, LLC.
Tracey Glenn added Missourians for Transportation Investment, and Glennview Strategies.
Ryan Rowden added Atlas Strategy Group.
Jay Hahn, and Stephen Nittler added Missouri Solar Energy Industries.
Maria Walden added Missouri Retired Teachers Association.
Jacqueline Bardgett, John Bardgett and Chris Roepe added Verify4 Incorporated.
Erika Leonard added Susan G. Komen.
Jacqueline Bardgett, John Bardgett, Erika Leonard and Chris Roepe deleted Mercy Healthcare Systems.
Jay Reichard deleted The Timken Company, Wellpath, and Union Electric Co. DBA Amerenue, Ameren Services, Ameren Corp.
$5K+ Contributions
Together KC - $15,000 from Blue Criss Blue Shield of Kansas City.
Magellan Midstream Holdings Federal PAC – Missouri - $6,500 from Magellan Midstream Holding GP LLC Political Action Committee.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Elaine Gannon, Judy Moriarty, Jim Foley, Otto Fajen, Steve Hodges, and Diane Franklin.