MOScout Daily Update: House Rejects Map - Onder Rejects Conference - Grier Won't Run Again - Pietzman for Senate - May Unopposed and more...

To Conference or Not To Conference?

The House voted to reject the Senate’s version of the congressional redistricting map and instead go to conference to seek a compromise.  It was a bipartisan vote, passing 115-19.

But on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Bob Onder indicated that he was opposed to going to conference.  The implication is that the Conservative Caucus would filibuster any conference motion.

That hardline position would give the House an ultimatum to take the map as it is.

There are now lawsuits looming, so at some point legislative inaction will presumably result in the judicial action.

·         Meanwhile, the Senate resumed its slog yesterday, working on three bills for hours, perfecting one of them.

Hegeman Tells Committee to Prepare for Long Weeks

Senate Appropriations Chair Dan Hegeman, in a note to committee members, said “the House’ delay in advancing budget bills” means that the Approps Committee may be meeting on some Thursdays and/or Fridays in April.  Stay tuned…

Ashcroft PAC Gets $250K

Committee for Liberty, a pro-Jay Ashcroft PAC, recorded a $250,000 contribution from the Holland Law Firm.

While some eyebrows raised that a trial attorney firm would be backing Ashcroft, one reader noted that John Ashcroft worked with Holland Law on the J&J baby powder / ovarian cancer lawsuit.

It’s said that lobbyist Steve Tilley is starting to help with Ashcroft’s fundraising efforts, a role he has played for Governor Mike Parson.

What It Means

·         As I’ve written before… we may be seven months from the 2022 Election Day, but the 2024 cycle is already revving up.

·         It appears that Team Ashcroft is awakening after a spat of endorsements and strong quarters from Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe.

Candidate Filing Closes

Candidate filing has now closed (expect in a few races where there was a candidate withdrawal in the final days).  See the list of candidates here.

Here’s the news from yesterday…

Greier Out, Brunner In – Rep. Derek Grier withdrew from running for re-election in House 101 (Chesterfield).  In statement Grier said he was going to focus on his business.  Grier is a chair of the Economic Development Committee and has championed legislation to deregulate professional licensing after various industries. One lobbyist remarked approvingly at the news, “He made it out alive.” 

In Grier’s place, John Brunner filed to run as a Republican.  Brunner is the son of businessman John Brunner, who ran unsuccessfully for US Senate in 2012 (placing second in the primary to disastrous candidate Todd Akin), and for governor in 2016 (placing second in the primary to scandal-ridden Eric Greitens who ended up resigning).

Senate 10 Gets Crowded – Rep. Randy Pietzman jumped into Senate 10 (Riddle termed).  As did Judge Mike Carter.  That makes this a 6-way primary in the newly sprawling Mid-MO district.  Filing is still open because minor candidate Jason Franklin withdrew on the last day (and filed in Senate 26).  I plan to poll this race within the next couple of weeks and get an early, name ID baseline.

May Unopposed in Dem Primary –Sen. Karla May avoided a Democratic primary, as each of the folks who mulled the new district opted against running.  She will face a Republican in November, but this is a safe Democratic district (St. Louis City).

Taylor-Green Rematch - Sylvester Taylor II filed to run in House 75.  He was a state representative about ten years ago, losing in 2014 to Alan Green in a primary in then-House 67.  This is a rematch.

CD-4 Gets One More Candidate – Kyle Stonner LaBrue filed to run in Congressional District 4. That’s officially an 8-way Republican primary now to succeed Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.  See LaBrue’s website here.

Moon In – Sen. Mike Moon did finally file for CD-7 on the last day.  That Republican primary, too, is now an 8-way race.

And

In St. Louis County, lobbyist Jane Dueker filed to run against incumbent County Executive Sam Page in the Democratic primary. Dueker, as a registered lobbyist, can’t maintain a campaign committee.  That means Dueker will either have to rely on a third-party PAC or is running to “make a statement,” rather than as a viable candidate.

Awkward Thanksgiving

On Twitter Jacob Rubashkin jokes, “An awkward Thanksgiving?  Trudy Busch Valentine's half-brother, August Busch III, is a major donor to Republican Senate efforts, including cutting a $250k check last year to the Super PAC supporting Trudy Busch Valentine's potential MO-Sen opponent, Eric Schmitt.”

Sauls to Financial Institutions

Minority Leader Crystal Quade removed Rep. Rory Rowland from the Financial Institutions Committee.  She appointed Rep. Robert Sauls in his place, and elevated Rep. Doug Clemens as ranking member.

$5K+ Contributions

Committee for Liberty (pro-Ashcroft) - $250,000 from Holland Law Firm LLC.

Conservative Leadership for Missouri PAC - $10,000 from HTH Companies, Inc.

Steve Myers For State Representative - $10,000 from Steven Myers.

Buffaloe for Mayor - $15,722 from Missouri and Kansas Laborers' PAC.

Lobbyists Registrations

Christopher Warren Dunn added GeoVelo, LLC.

Nathan “Nate” James Madden added Health Forward Foundation.

Kelley Foxx added Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to David Pearce, Wes Shoemyer, Anne Schweitzer, and Jeff Roorda.