MOScout Daily Update: Eigel Responds to Critics - MO RINO Watch Complaint Dismissed - Hurlbert to Herzog - Valentine = Dewey? and more...
Eigel Responds to MOScouters
Sen. Bill Eigel offers his response to the anonymous criticisms in yesterday’s MOScout.
“It’s an attempt to broaden their appeal for leadership races. It won’t work.”
Eigel: Such cynicism! It is an attempt to reach out to our colleagues. True, it may not work, but our constituents expect us to try.
They think everyone is an idiot. It’s obviously a way to appear less threatening heading into leadership races. The only question that matters is will they commit to not go after any Republicans during session on social media? The minute that happens we are back to chaos and division.
Eigel: That’s the ONLY question? Policy doesn’t matter? The Republican electorate doesn’t matter? How condescending to imply that the only thing a dozen Republican senators care about is what another Senator is posting on their Facebook page! Elected officials live in a state of constant questioning—by the media, by our colleagues, and by our constituents. To simplify the problems in the Republican Caucus down to the content of Facebook page seems….a bit much. We are just trying to start a new peace coalition with a simple olive branch.
“This is not going to change the fact that there’s still no trust amongst the Republican Caucus.”
Eigel: Of course not. But you have to start somewhere. I’ve listened to the Cierpiot (Mundo) and Rowden (Hauswirth) interviews. Lots of accusations and name calling still happening in those. Not good. I think our colleagues are watching every public move being made and every word being said—will they be attracted to the same acrimony that’s already plagued the Senate chamber for years?
“If they are really serious, they would fire Jim Lembke and dissolve the 100 PAC.”
Eigel: If Jim Lembke left Jefferson City, I feel like several of his detractors there would no longer have purpose in their lives. Stop letting Jim Lembke…or any other former senator, consultant, lobbyist, or building denizen…live rent free in your mind. 😊 Politics gives us all gray hair sometimes—don’t let it take more from your soul than it has to.
“Action speak louder than words…anyone can issue a press release, lets see if actions follow that indicate they are unifying as a party because don’t have to have a formal designation to be an obstructionist.”
Eigel: Well, we’ve made the first move. Soon enough, we will know what the answer from our colleagues is. Some are already reacting in anger publicly. Some are reacting differently. I’m willing to support any Senator for any leadership position that wants to empower all 24 Republican senators to pass conservative reforms.
Missouri RINO Watch Complaint Dismissed
A complaint against Missouri RINO Watch was dismissed. See the dismissal here. The complaint had alleged that MO RINO Watch should register as a campaign committee, or filed non-committee disclosures of in-kind expenditures on behalf of candidates they support. MO RINO argued that they are a conservative media outlet, not a campaign vehicle. The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint, finding no evidence that MO RINO Watch accept contribution or spent money in support or against specific candidates.
And
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt was fined $1,000 for “permitting the use of the Kansas City official website to display links to social media pages which supported and/or solicited contributions for candidates for public office; thereby utilizing public funds in support of the election of candidates.” See the consent order here.
On the Move
· Rep. Josh Hurlbert announces on Facebook that he’s now a Scholarship Coordinator at Herzog Tomorrow Foundation: I'm excited to have started working for the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation this summer. A student's educational opportunities should not be limited by their zip code or income level. This organization is providing K-12 scholarships to students across the state, broadening their academic horizons and helping them afford the best fit for their education…
· Jason Norton announced on LinkedIn that he’s reviving his consulting practice: With great appreciation for the enduring friendships, lessons learned, and experiences gained, thank you to American Traffic Solutions and Verra Mobility as well as my trusted colleagues, numerous clients, and all of the consultants I had the pleasure of working with these many years. What was to be a short six month engagement turned into a 17 year career that saw a company grow to something I'm not sure any of us could have imagined… And so while technically it's not a new job, after a nearly two decade sabbatical, I have decided to re-launch The Norton Company. From grassroots and community relations, to government relations to smart city and transportation mobility and vision zero strategy, I have the experience to help you achieve your goals. Let me know if you think I can help…
AT Government Strategies Forms Strategic Alliance with Versa
Press release: AT Government Strategies (ATGS), a subsidiary of Armstrong Teasdale LLP (AT), has entered into a strategic alliance with Versa Governmental Strategies (Versa), a full-service lobbying and solutions firm based in Jefferson City, Missouri. Effective Aug. 1, 2022, the alliance between ATGS and Versa deepens substantive and political reach. Versa Founders and Principals Zach Pollock and Jon Hensley have more than 35 years of experience in government agency leadership, legislative drafting and advocacy, and solution development. “Their depth of experience advancing clients' interests is a significant asset to ATGS and our combined representations,” said ATGS Vice President of Governmental Affairs Shanon Hawk. “Zach and Jon complement and enhance our ability to deliver unrivaled representation in Jefferson City and beyond, and we look forward to working collaboratively in this capacity.”
Trudy Channels Harry
The latest Trudy Valentine fundraising blast recalls Harry Truman’s upset win as a rebuke to “insiders” who are already declaring Eric Schmitt the winner…
Friend, do you remember President Dewey? I don't either — that's because Thomas Dewey never became president… against all the odds and what all the so-called "experts" were saying, Harry Truman, a proud Missourian, defeated Dewey and became our 33rd president. When I hear DC insiders write off our state as MAGA territory, I remember Truman — how he stuck to his values, put in the work, and proved the naysayers wrong. Our election this November is not the first time that political elites have underestimated leaders from Missouri. And 1948 won't be the last time that Missourians prove the GOP wrong at the ballot box…
Who Is Katherine Pinner
Young Republicans in St. Louis will find out who the heck Katherine Pinner is on Thursday. Here’s the announcement of their next meeting…
Join the St. Louis Young Republicans for our August Meeting with St. Louis County Executive Republican Candidate Katherine Pinner.
Kathrine Pinner won the GOP nomination for St. Louis County Executive, snagging a surprising victory from Missouri State Representative Shamed Dogan, without raising and spending any campaign funds.
Voters are now asking, who is Katherine Pinner?
Similar to her primary election campaign, Pinner plans on following the same formula in her election. She says she will rely on grassroots and innovation to win against Sam Page this fall….
eMailbag: Wood Ad
The Wood ad you linked [to] demonstrated that his campaign is geared to peeling votes away from Schmitt but not Valentine. Schmitt is pictured with his blowtorch in a photo altered to look dark, but no shots were taken at Trudy. This is consistent with having postured himself as a center-right Republican who would caucus with senate Republicans if successful. That won't lure many Democrats. Wood can't win without taking votes from both, but he could elect Valentine by plurality. I'm surprised Danforth would want to do that, especially since flipping the seemingly safe Missouri seat would virtually guarantee Democrat control of the Senate…
Lobbyist Registrations
Chelsea Chaney deleted National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri United (pro-Plocher) - $15,000 from Charter Communications.
Missouri United - $10,000 from Burns & McDonnell.
Missouri United - $7,500 from Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association.
Missouri Health Plan Association PAC - $25,000 from RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc.
A Better Missouri Political Action Committee - $30,000 from Anheuser-Busch Cos. One Busch Plaza.
Ty Gaither for Cedar County Prosecutor - $10,000 from Ty Gaither.
Bayer US LLC Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Bayer US LLC Employee Political Action Committee.
Citizens for Dustin Stanton - $25,000 from Boone County Farm Bureau.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Dave Berry.