MOScout Daily Update: Schwadron Joins Resignation Calls - Baker Exits - National $$$ Against Bush? - Bell for SOS and more...

Schwadron Joins Resignation Calls

In a letter to his fellow Republican House members, Rep. Adam Schwadron added his voice to those calling for Speaker Dean Plocher’s resignation.   See the full letter here.

·       After arduous deliberation, I feel that I can no longer remain silent in our caucus and I am asking for Representative Plocher’s resignation as House Speaker…

·       Having signed affidavits of personal expense to receive taxpayer reimbursement on nine separate occasions far exceeds believability as a “clerical mistake.”

·       We are plagued with looming questions behind the public allegations made by Dana Rademan Miller, Chief Clerk of the House about the issue surrounding the Fireside program. Most notably her quote about “threats made by Speaker Plocher concerning my future employment.”

·       Exactly how many seats will this cost us, I don’t know.

·       Additionally, I am concerned that Jon Ratliff acting as the Director of HRCC and announcing on radio the caucus stands behind Speaker Plocher while also serving as Plocher’s consultant for his Lt. Governor campaign makes this all look and smell like a cover-up of the good ole boys.

·       I am formally asking that our friend, Speaker Dean Plocher, put aside his pride and personal ambitions, and immediately resign his Speakership for the good of our Republican Caucus and our Missouri Republican Party.

Baker Resigns

Julie Baker, general counsel in the Speaker’s Office, has resigned.  It’s the latest sign of turmoil from that office.  Baker has been general counsel for four years.  Before that she was deputy general counsel for Governor Mike Parson.

·       The House Ethics Committee prepares to meet again on Wednesday, presumably about the allegations surrounding Speaker Plocher.

Meanwhile

Springfield News Leader asks if there’s something about that office that brings on the misbehavin’.  Read it here.  

This list, which is by no means exhaustive, spans back to the 1970s, and includes former speakers Richard Rabbitt, Bob Griffin, Rod Jetton and John Diehl.

Bell for SOS

McDonald County Clerk Kimberly Bell formed a campaign committee to run for secretary of state.  She’s a Republican.  See the paperwork here.

She shared the news on Facebook over the weekend:  After a lot of prayer and discussions with family and friends, I have decided to run for Missouri Secretary of State in 2024! I do not take this decision lightly. It will be a lot of hard work and dedication, but I am up for the challenge!

My entire life has been a life of service. Service to God. Service to my Country. Service to my County. Service to my community. It is now time to serve the citizens of the Great State of Missouri.  My campaign has just begun, so be patient while we get our website and Facebook group set up…

·       Bell is the sixth Republican to declare their intention to run for this office.  She joins Sens. Denny Hoskins and Caleb Rowden, Rep. Adam Schwadron, Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, and political newcomer Valentina Gomez.

National $$$ Against Bush?

There could be a perfect storm coalescing against Congresswoman Cori Bush.

CNBC reports that “a political action committee funded largely by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman may be on the brink of launching a primary campaign to oust Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich, and Cori Bush, D-Mo, according to the billionaire’s longtime political advisor, Dmitri Mehlhorn.”

·       As a super PAC, Mainstream Democrats can legally raise an unlimited amount of money from individual donors, whereas a campaign can only receive up to $3,300 from a single contributor during a primary or general election fight.

·       Hoffman has given over $1.5 million to the Mainstream Democrats PAC since it launched during the 2022 congressional midterms, according to Federal Election Commission records. His latest $1 million donation is the top registered donation to the group so far this cycle, as it’s raised just over $1.4 million since the start of the year, according to FEC records.

But… One politico with resources on the sidelines right now tells me “if both Wesley [Bell] and [Brian] Williams are in, it would be tough for people to not endorse the incumbent. Splitting the vote will ensure her victory. So we’ll see if they get together and work it out…”

Turnin’ Pages

On Friday, Governor Mike Parson announced “forthcoming book about his life titled No Turnin' Back will be released March 2024. The commemorative biography will detail the life of Michael L. Parson, Missouri's 57th Governor nicknamed ‘G57.’”  The press release notes that “neither Governor Parson nor First Lady Teresa Parson will receive any personal financial benefit from the sales of No Turnin' Back.”

You can order it here.

·       The book is touted as a biography, but it doesn’t appear to list the author.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson announced judicial appointments to the 12th and 36th Judicial Circuits.

·       Kathleen Joyce, of Wright City, was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for Warren County in the 12th Judicial Circuit.

·       Kacey L. Proctor, of Poplar Bluff, will be appointed as Circuit Judge for the 36th Judicial Circuit.

Lobbyists Registrations

Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, Christopher Schoeman, and Alec Rosenblum added MO CANN DO Inc.

Jason Zamkus added City of Hannibal.

Lily Elizabeth White added Lily White.

Scott Swain deleted KC Healthy Kids and its affiliates, including but not limited to Greater KC Food Policy Coalition.

Andy Arnold deleted Invenergy.

Salvatore Panettiere deleted KC WFC StadCo, LLC.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $75,000 from Christopher McDaniel.

NEMO Leadership PAC (pro-O’Laughlin) - $25,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

NEMO Leadership PAC - $10,000 from HealthPAC.

NEMO Leadership PAC - $10,000 from Evergy Metro, Inc.

NEMO Leadership PAC - $7,500 from Charter Communications.

DougPac (pro-Beck) - $25,000 from Laborers Union Local #110 Voluntary Political Fund.

DougPac - $25,000 from Laborers Union Local #42 Voluntary Political Fund.

Missouri Alliance PAC (pro-Patterson) - $13,000 from Missouri CPAC.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee (GOP Senate campaign committee) – $75,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Cigna Holding Company (Washington DC).

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $30,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $20,000 from Ameren Missouri.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $20,000 from MO Law Enforcement For Good Govt PAC.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Charter Communications.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Burns & McDonnell Corporate Services Inc.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Missouri American Water Employees PAC.

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $11,340 from Antonia Grilikhes-Lasky (Brooklyn, NY).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to David Humphreys, Amy Berendzen, Keith Frederick, Joe Runions, and Mark Maxwell.