MOScout Daily Update: Patterson PAC Spreads $$$ - Brunner for Schmitt - Brattin Gets MRL Nod - No Better Elections in Nov? and more....

MOScout House Primary Report: STL City

This my final installment of the House primary guides.  This one covers St. Louis City where there are 2 primaries. They are both Democratic primaries. Find the report here.

In this report…

·         House 81 – Incumbent Steve Butz challenged.

·         House 84 – Incumbent Wiley Price challenged.

Patterson PAC $$$

Missouri Alliance PAC has been making dozens of campaign contributions to Republican House candidates across the state.  The PAC is associated with Rep. Jon Patterson who is running for House floor leader.

The contributions are all relatively modest.  They range from $250 to $500, but give some indication who Patterson believes support his bid – or who he would like to support his bid.

Many recipients are incumbents: Reps. Darrell Atchison, Hardy Billington, Michael Davis, Willard Haley, Ann Kelley, Tony Lovasco, Michael McGirl, Chad Perkins, Chris Dinkins Randy Railsback, Lane Roberts, Chris Sander, Adam Schnelting and Richard West.

But several are in contested primaries where Patterson’s PAC is picking a side.  A strategy which could be rewarding or problematic depending on the outcome.

For example, in contested primaries Missouri Alliance is backing Eben Hall (House 38), Jim Schulte (House 49), Carla Klaskin (House 63), Brad Christ (House 96), and Darin Chappell (House 137).

And in at least one case, it’s backing two of the three candidates running, having sent checks to both Matthew Griese and Justin Hicks in House 108 (Hill district).

Better Elections Braces for Failure

Issuing a statement that “there may not be sufficient signatures under Missouri law to give voters a chance to say yes to the Better Elections Amendment,” the campaign leaders for ranked choice voting appeared to be bracing for failure.

Better Elections had raised nearly $4.3 million according to their April fundraising report and another $2.5 million since then.  Most of it came from a “dark money” non-profit which the Post-Dispatch has reported as funded by the billionaire John Arnold of Texas.

Missouri Independent reported that Legal Missouri, which used the same signature gathering firm, didn’t foresee any problem with their effort and still expected to qualify for the ballot.

More on Cierpiot Race

Two points to follow-up on the blurb yesterday about Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s re-election.

·         First, the 100 PAC has said that they will not be actively opposing any incumbents. That may make it harder for Cierpiot’s opponent to gather support.

·         Second, this note from a tipster: On the heels of polling showing Sen. Mike Cierpiot with a 25% lead, the Jackson County Leadership PAC has launched a robust paid canvassing campaign in SD8 in support of Cierpiot’s re-election.  The field teams will be focused on Cierpiot’s sharing with voters his record of conservative results and are expected to hit more than 20,000 doors between now and the Republican Primary on August 2.

Brattin Gets MRL in CD-4

Sen. Rick Brattin said on social media that he received the sole endorsement from Missouri Right to Life in his congressional race.  It’s a distinction he’ll likely feature prominently in the final months of the campaign.

Brunner Backs Schmitt

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate and US Senate candidate John Brunner endorsed Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

“I’m all in, joining Eric Schmitt because, as the toughest State Attorney General in America, he has proven he will fight and win, again and again, whenever our constitution is under attack. Eric Schmitt will always stand with liberty.”

There’s no love lost between Brunner and Eric Greitens who has been leading the polls to this point.  One reading of this endorsement would be that Brunner sees Schmitt as the candidate most capable of beating Greitens.

STL Board of Alderman Race Begins

With the resignation of Lewis Reed, the race to because the next Board President is beginning.  Alderwoman Megan Green recently amended her campaign committee to show that she’s seeking the office.  And Alderman Jack Coatar is expected to announce today.

In that scenario, Green would represent the progressive wing of City politics while Coatar would be seen as more business-friendly.

Lobbyists Registrations

Salvatore Panettiere added VMWare Inc., and Carahsoft Technology Corp on behalf of Salesforce.

Eapen Thampy added Seth Ferranti.

Richard McIntosh deleted Oracle America.

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Conservative Alliance (pro-Nate Tate) - $10,000 from UFCW Local 655 Elect Club.

JanePAC (pro-Dueker) - $5,001 from Chris Goodson.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Lincoln Hough (the big 4-0), Rep. Michael O’Donnell, Sam Licklider, and Barbara Fraser.

Saturday: Rep. Jay Mosely, and Tim Garrison.

Sunday: Mark Dalton, Angela Bingaman, Brian Nieves, and Jason Cohen.

Juneteenth: Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

MOScout Schedule

Another long weekend for me!  See you Tuesday…