MOScout Daily Update: Primary Challenges to Incumbent House GOPers - The Other Roberts Accusation - Cody Cash Perfected - Hough Jabs Schmitt and more...

Challenged GOP Reps

13 Republican incumbent House members face primary challenges this election year.  There are 12 Democratic House incumbents in a similar situation.  Of course, there are about twice as many Republicans as Democrats. That means approximately 1 in 8 Republican incumbents face a primary challenge, compared to approximately 1 in 4 Democrats. 

A quick review of the Republican House members shows only one who looks vulnerable, Rep. Randy Railsback.  (I’ll look at the Dem incumbents tomorrow).

Railsback’s challenger is Mazzie Boyd.  Follow her on twitter here.  She’s generated some buzz.  She has a resume that excites Trump Republicans, having worked in the Trump White House as well as for Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, and interning with Senator Roy Blunt.

Railsback has $20K cash on-hand; Boyd has $30K on-hand.

The other two GOP incumbents who look safe but I might keep an eye on…

·         Rep. Chad Perkins has faced questions about his behavior in the past.  His challenger, Dan Moran, hasn’t raised any money yet.  He had $100 cash on-hand last quarter.  See his website here.

·         Rep. Tony Lovasco, who’s libertarian philosophy sometimes results in him taking “bad” votes, faces two challengers.  Having two opponents is usually a very good development as it splits the anti-incumbent vote.

Just Like Old Times

It felt like old times in the Senate yesterday.  A Republican proposing to loosen environmental regulations, Democrats filibustering, everyone playing their part.

But the seeming return to normalcy will likely be tested in the near future. 

·         The Senate Appropriations Committee finished its mark-up of the budget, preparing it for floor debate.  There have been refrains from the Conservative Caucus that Missouri shouldn’t be complicit with the federal government’s excessive spending.  So there may be more than a passing skirmish over the budget.

·         Whither Redistricting? The thorniest of issues had been sidelined for now.  Even the mighty Jason Rosenbaum succumbing to the idea that the courts might let the map live beyond its expiration date.  Still, might this return again to wreak havoc?

·         After this week, there are only three weeks remaining.  As time becomes more precious, folks are emboldened to use it as a weapon against legislation they don’t like.  Collateral damage is unavoidable.

The Other Roberts Accusation

As the stories continue about previous accusations against Sen. Steven Roberts, the latest is from The Intercept, publishing details of his settlement with Amy Harms, who accused him of groping her in a bar.  See it here.

Roberts also settled Harms’s case out of court, according to documents reviewed by The Intercept, reaching a 2019 agreement for $100,000. The settlement concluded a 2017 civil suit that Harms filed after the criminal case was deferred and stipulates the release of all claims, a full denial of Roberts’s liability, and an agreement of confidentiality. Both parties are prohibited from discussing the allegations. But as Roberts’s star has risen in the House primary, Harms has decided to speak out anyway.

House Perfects $1B Tax Credit

The House perfected Rep. Cody Smith’s HB 3021, which would send give Missourians a tax credit of $500.  Democrats tried to amend it to only apply to middle and low income Missourians (“$100,000 for individuals filing an individual Missouri income tax return or $200,000 for married couples”).  That effort failed largely along party lines.  A final vote on the measure is teed up for today.

·         House Minority Crystal Quade: “House Republicans want to give $1 billion to the wealthy, while leaving most Missourians with little or nothing. House Bill 3021 is a rushed and poorly conceived giveaway for the rich that deserves the death that awaits it in the Senate.”

Hough Jabs Schmitt

Missouri Independent reports… A Southwest Missouri Republican upset with Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s aggressive campaign of lawsuits against local governments and school districts cut $500,000 from Schmitt’s budget on Wednesday.  Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, won committee support for cutting money added by the Missouri House. The extra funds would have allowed Schmitt to hire five additional attorneys for the office’s Solicitor General unit, which represents the state in major appellate and constitutional litigation.  “As our attorney general continues to sue most of the citizens of this state, I don’t know why we are giving him another half million dollars,” Hough said.

Sharpe Adds $10K

Earlier this week, Rep. Greg Sharpe made a personal contribution of $10,000 to his campaign committee.  It’s a little odd because he’s unopposed in both the primary and general elections this year. 

Nexus’ Breakthru

In the lobbyists’ registrations (below) Nexus Group added Breakthru Beverage.

Breakthru Beverage recently completed its acquisition of Major Brands, the state's leading alcohol distributor. Nexus has had a long and successful relationship with the local team, led by Executive Vice President Scott Johnson, who previously served as President of Sales and Operations for Major Brands. Breakthru is one of North America's leading alcohol wholesalers.

Help Wanted

ATT seeks Regional Director – External Affairs.  “Responsible for local and state legislative initiatives, philanthropic initiatives, community relations and other external affairs initiatives. Implements legislative tactics and strategies on local and state issues which affect the company. Provides community relations at the local level to promote positive customer image for AT&T and its affiliates. Interacts with business groups, consumer groups, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide information and garner support for the company’s initiatives. Organizes and develops materials for informational meetings.”   See the ad here.

Candidate Withdrawals

Laurel Youmans (Republican) withdrew from House 49.

Helena Webb (Democrat) withdrew from House 101.

$5K+ Contributions

Legal Missouri 2022 - $25,000 from Tyler Klien.

Stevens for Missouri (running in House 88, Wildwood) - $50,000 from Nancy Stevens.

Page PAC (pro-Page) - $10,000 from Eric Holland.

Electrical Workers Voluntary Political Education & Legislative Funds Missouri - $21,158 from IBEW Local One.

Lobbyists Registrations

Rodney Boyd, Kate Casas, Brian Grace, and Kelvin Simmons added Breakthru Beverage Missouri LLC.

Christopher Schoeman added US Term Limits.

Marc Todd Webb added Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Teresa Parson, Dan Mehan, David Barklage, and Paul Curtman.