MOScout Weekender: Parson Hearts Bruce? - Polling Independents - Hallway on Danforth Plan - WWTW and more...

Parson Hearts Bruce?

On the invite to an April 1 fundraiser (see it here, and let’s assume it’s not an April Fool’s joke), CD-4 candidate Kalena Bruce lists Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Theresa as “invited special guests.” 

Parson’s favorability among Republicans stood at 55%, according to a MOScout poll last week.  That’s about 9 points lower than Hawley’s according to the same poll. 

Still in a 7-way primary every little bit helps – especially with fundraising.

Remington/MOScout Poll: MO Independents

Survey conducted February 23 through February 24, 2022. 506 likely 2022 General Election Independent Voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the Independents in the 2022 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-4.4% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding. Survey conducted by Remington Research Group on behalf of Missouri Scout. See the full results here.

Q1: Is Missouri heading in the right direction or is it going off on the wrong track?

Right direction: 35%

Wrong track: 33%

Not sure: 32%

Q2: Thinking about Missouri; which political party do you trust most in dealing with the economy?

Republicans: 41%

Democrats: 27%

Not sure: 32%

Q3: Thinking about Missouri; which political party do you trust most in dealing with public safety?

Republicans: 51%

Democrats: 22%

Not sure: 27%

Q4: Thinking about Missouri; which political party do you trust most in dealing with education?

Republicans: 44%

Democrats: 26%

Not sure: 30%

Q5: Thinking about Missouri; which political party do you trust most in dealing with COVID?

Republicans: 40%

Democrats: 29%

Not sure: 31%

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Danforth Plan

I asked lobbyists: What's your assessment of Jack Danforth's plan to run an Independent Republican for US Senate?   21 replies…

RESULTS

1. Probably won't happen… 66.7%

2. Probably will happen, but won't work… 28.6%

3. Probably will happen and will work… 4.7%

Sample of Comments

·         Amateur night.

·         This whole thing is an absurd waste of our time.

·         “Cool story, grandpa. Time for your nap.”

·         He is out of touch. He is too late.

·         Choice 4) it’s a terrible idea, not happening, and let’s get back to reality.

·         All depends on who it is but track record of late is not good.

·         It's a steep hill to climb, especially without name ID / celebrity status.

·         Noble but won’t work. Danforth understandably regrets his Hawley decision but the Republican Party has left Jack.

·         This appears to be self-indulgent attention grab. Danforth waits until the week before filing to pen an article about how someone should find an Independent to run? Why didn't he put together a network to find someone a year ago? Just a way for him to seem relevant and repair his dismal as of late legacy.

·         It's funny watching the guys that gave us Hawley and Greitens act indignant. How about trying to use all that money which has been amassed over the last 70 years or so to overwhelm insane R candidates with really good, decent, normal Republicans that believe in high quality government services and low taxes. Throw in a couple of D's for good measure.

·         If Danforth really wants to play he would get a Republican to join the primary and support them.

Who Won the Week?

MOGOP – The state party makes the smart decision to filter out their problems on the front end, blocking antisemite Steve West, and indicted Tricia Derges from filing for office.

Senate – Glimmers of normalcy, the upper chamber passed a couple of pieces of legislation, including the enormous supplemental budget.  Will it last?

Bill Eigel – Two years after Buddy Hardin was the treasurer of a PAC which spent over $250,000 against Eigel’s re-election, Hardin is running for state representative in St. Charles.  I don’t know if Eigel wears a watch, but I’d guess it’s probably about a quarter til payback time.

Justin Brown – As the senator preps for re-election he’s blessed with multiple candidates.  It’s best to be either unopposed, or really opposed. This way your critics will likely split their vote.

Find a downloadable version here.

$5K+ Contributions

Cigna Corporation Employee Missouri PAC - Federal Committee - $50,000 from Cigna Corporation Political Action Committee.

Prop R For Roads - $10,000 from Industrial Development Authority of Saint Charles Missouri.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Brad Green, Brad Thielemier, and Marie Ceselski.

Sunday: Hannah Beers Sutton and Doug Crews.

Condolences

To Ed Rhode, whose father, Erv Rhode, Jr., passed away on Thursday. Erv worked at the Anheuser-Busch brewery for over 30 years and was a proud member of the Teamsters Local 6.