MOScout Daily Update: Onder for LG?! - Siege of Plocher -Campbell Joins Winton - Justice in 153? and more...

1 Big Thing: Onder for LG?

On the heels of the reimbursement scandal rocking Speaker Dean Plocher, former Sen. Bob Onder made significant moves to enter the race for lieutenant governor.

·       He’s amending his campaign committee to say he’s seeking statewide office.

·       And… he dropped $500,000 into that committee.

Does Onder become the immediate front-runner if he enters? 

Maybe.  He’s adored by the pro-life community, and has a big-time trial attorney brother to ease his access to large dollar contributors.  In the words of one Onder whisperer: “Good luck getting to Onder’s ideological right, matching his connections with the America First grassroots, and his ability to bundle big checks.”

·       But, you could also make the case that Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder benefits from another male name on the ballot (Plocher, plus Tim Baker and Paul Berry). 

The Siege of Plocher Begins

Republican statewide candidates began calling for Plocher to resign or face House action.

·       AG candidate Will Scharf was first out of the gate: These allegations of unethical double dipping should be deeply troubling to all Missourians who care about cleaning up Jefferson City.  Speaker Plocher owes Missouri taxpayers an explanation, and if he can’t provide one he should resign.

·       Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft followed: The allegations against the Speaker of the House are significant and serious. I call on the legislature to swiftly investigate and, if proven, to take action to protect the integrity of the House of Representatives and the people’s money.

·       And then Ashcroft’s gubernatorial rival Bill Eigel weighed with the least nuanced take: When people say “throw the bums out,” they’re thinking of politicians like Dean Plocher.  This is simple – he has stolen from taxpayers and violated our trust, he should resign immediately.

·       The possibly soon-to-be LG candidate Bob Onder reminded folks he throws as good a punch as anyone: This looks and smells like embezzlement. It’s documented, happened 9 times over years, and he only reimbursed after being caught. Plocher is the Swamp and should resign.

·       Secretary of State candidate Sen. Denny Hoskins was less hard-charging, not calling for a resignation: “The Missouri House Ethics Committee should meet to discuss these serious allegations and take appropriate action based on their investigation.”

Plocher fired return volleys, saying that Scharf was investigated for his time working for Greitens and use of the Confide app, and that Ashcroft owed the Merchant Marine Academy back tuition (?).  But Plocher’s message (if there was one) was unclear.  I think it was “everyone has baggage, so don’t pick on me.”  But it might have been “you come after me and I’ll coming after you.”

·       One pol gleefully texted that “watching Plocher v Scharf was like watching the Iran-Iraq war.”

What’s Next

·       Do other politicians join in?  Mike Kehoe is the sole gubernatorial candidate to stay mum on the issue.  Democrat Crystal Quade registered her disapproval: I'm deeply concerned that the speaker’s actions weren’t just a one-time mistake, but part of a consistent pattern over five years. Allegations of corruption happen far too often in Jefferson City and Missourians deserve better.

·       Have all the double-dippings been found? Plocher wrote a make-good check for $3,379.  One veteran Jeff City denizen noted that the $5,000 threshold would heighten the seriousness of the matter – from a criminal perspective.

·       Will the House self-police?  There’s a Friday Ethic Committee meeting.  That committee’s undertaking is opaque by design so it’s impossible to know what or who they’re meeting about.   Beyond that, one lobbyist points to the House Republicans’ planned November 9 “winter caucus” in Jefferson City.  That’s two weeks away.  It would be the most likely place for frustrations over Fireside, Ross’ sacking, and ReimbursementGate to bubble up.

Justice in House 153?

With the announcement of Rep. Darrell Atchison’s decision not to seek re-election, one southeast Missourian to keep an eye on will be Eddy Justice.

Justice, recently appointed to the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline, has been deeply involved in politics in that part of the state for decades.  He ran unsuccessfully for state senate in 2000, losing to Jason Bean in a four-way which also features Jeff Shawan and Steve Cookson.

·       Justice can raise money, knows the players, and has experience running a campaign.

SCOMO Panel

Press release: The Appellate Judicial Commission has submitted to Governor Michael L. Parson its panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court of Missouri. This vacancy exists due to the retirement earlier this month of Judge Patricia Breckenridge.  The commission unanimously supports the three nominees…. Michael E. Gardner, Ginger K. Gooch and John P. Torbitzky.

·       Gardner and Gooch made the panel for the last vacancy.

Campbell Joins Winton

David Winton announced that Chase Campbell will join Winton Policy Group as Director of Legislative Services.  Press release: Chase brings an expertise in communication and project management as well as a wealth of relationships in the Missouri Capitol.  He honed these skills through his work in the Missouri House of Representatives and, most recently, as Political Director for the House Republican Campaign Committee. 

During session, Chase will work alongside our team in the Capitol. Throughout summer and fall, he will play a valuable role in our work educating decision makers and raising the profile of key issues.

I am proud of the WPG team we have grown, which now includes two professional staff, Jessica Petrie Thelemaque and Robin Sherman, as well as a robust team of five contract lobbyists. Chase’s addition will further build on WPG’s capacity to provide the highest level of service to clients.

Lobbyists Registrations

Andrew Briscoe added The Missouri Bar.   

Michael Garner deleted Cognoa.

Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, Chris Schoeman, and Alec Rosenblum deleted US Term Limits.

Steven Tilley and Thomas Robbins deleted Justice Grown.

$5K+ Contributions

Onder For Missouri - $500,000 from Robert Onder.

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $50,000 from James Lincoln.

Missouri Realtors PAC Inc - $5,291 from Shelly Clark.

Missouri Realtors PAC Inc - $5,300 from Theresa Gander.

Missouri Realtors PAC Inc - $5,420 from Cynthia Fox.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Shantel Dooling, and Redditt Hudson.