MOScout Weekender: Pro-Webber PAC in Senate 19 - Poll on Hawley, Minimum Wage, Sport Betting, IP Reform - WWTW and more...
SCOOP: PAC Formed to Support Webber in Senate 19
A new political action committee, Homefront PAC, filed paperwork (see it here) yesterday to support Stephen Webber in Senate 19 in 2024.
Webber, a former state rep, is currently the political director for Missouri AFL-CIO.
Webber ran unsuccessfully for Senate 19 in 2016, losing to Caleb Rowden (51.2% to 48.8%). Rowden is now term-limited, and the district has been redrawn into a safe Democratic district. The new 19th voted for Biden over Trump by 54.9% to 42.4% in 2020.
What It Means
· When I wrote about this potential race last month I mentioned Webber’s name along with former Rep. Judy Baker, Rep. David Tyson Smith, and Brian Treece. By getting a PAC together early, Webber may deter some of those folks from pursuing the seat.
· The treasurer of the PAC is Mike Campbell, a trial attorney (see his bio here). That signals that Webber would likely bring significant support from that constituency to the race, as well as his obvious labor ties.
Remington/MOScout Poll: Statewide
Survey conducted January 4 through January 5, 2023. 806 likely 2024 November Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2024 November Election. Margin of Error is +/-3.3% 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. Find the full results here.
Q1: The current minimum wage in Missouri is $12/hour. Do you think this is too high, too law, or about right?
Too High: 17%
Too Low: 42%
About Right: 35%
Not sure: 6%
Q2: Do you approve or disapprove of Josh Hawley’s job performance as United States Senator from Missouri?
Approve: 49%
Disapprove: 40%
Not sure: 11%
Q3: The state legislature is considering legalizing betting on professional sporting events. Generally speaking, is that something you favor or oppose?
Favor allowing sports betting: 31%
Oppose allowing sports betting: 50%
Not sure: 19%
Q4: The initiative petition process allows issues to be put on the statewide ballot for Missourians to vote on. Some legislators hope to change the process. Do you think the process should be made easier, harder, or just fine as it is?
It should be easier to put issues on the ballot: 40%
It should be harder to put issues on the ballot: 16%
The process is fine: 33%
Not sure: 11%
Kunce Announces
Lucas Kunce announced yesterday that he would run for US Senate again. This wasn’t a huge surprise. He released a video with the announcement. See it here.
Kunce lost last year in the Democratic primary to Trudy Busch Valentine. But he displayed a remarkable ability to tap small grassroots donors from across the nation.
I wrote yesterday – considering the yet-unannounced Kunce candidacy – that he might garner more support this time around from the Missouri Democratic establishment.
I got a text from someone I consider to be in that group poo-pooing that notion: There really is no Dem infrastructure, so probably more to say that big donors and influential Dems aren’t going to get on board [with Kunce]… [He’s a] Deeply flawed candidate. There will be other better candidates, some you may be able to guess and some surprises.
Smith Looks Back on 2022
Former state senator and lobbyist Jeff Smith looks back on 2022 and reviewed his hits and misses in watching the elections. Read it here.
Mistake #1: I overestimated the importance of Josh Hawley’s support of Vicky Hartzler…
Mistake #2: I expected Gov. Mike Parson to appoint a woman to statewide office…
Mistake #3: I expected David Gregory to drop out of the State Auditor’s race…
Mistake #4: I misunderstood Jess Piper’s motivation for her Missouri House campaign…
Mistake #5: I thought my old friend Eric Schmitt would return after winning the GOP Senate nomination…
MOScout’s Hallway Index
The Hallway Index will return next Weekend edition…
Who Won the Week?
Dean Plocher – Pretty incredible contrast between Plocher’s smooth roll-out of new House rules and inauguration in Jeff City versus the chaotic obstacle course for McCarthy in DC.
Mike Parson – He’s had an amazing string of appointments to make. And the pipeline isn’t empty. This week’s announcement from Ryan Silvey that he’s leaving the Public Service Commission highlights Parson’s chance to appoint three new PSC members this year.
Pat Thomas – The chief of staff to Sen. Lincoln Hough was presented with the inaugural Legislative Staff Leadership Award from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.
Missouri workers – A pair of initiative petition filings offers that possibility that a new minimum wage increase and paid sick leave will be on the 2024 ballot.
Find a downloadable version here.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson announced appointments…
· Alyssa Bish, of Columbia, was appointed as the Office of Administration Division of Personnel Director.
· Sherry Stites, of St James, was appointed as the Phelps County First District Commissioner.
· Brock Bailey, of Curryville, was appointed as the Pike County Western District Commissioner.
· Mark Marberry, of Farmington, was appointed as the Ste. Genevieve County Second District Commissioner.
$5K+Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Lotspeich Automotive.
Missouri United (pro-Plocher) - $10,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming of Missouri, LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Chris Moreland, and Gentry Trotter.
Sunday: Rep. Justin Hicks, Mike Cunningham and Janson Thomas.