MOScout Daily Update: Bell To Pick Up Labor Endorsement - MO Freedom Caucus Coming? - Law for St. Charles Exec and more...

SCOOP: MKLDC Backs Bell

Later today the Missouri-Kansas Laborers’ District Council (MKLDC) will announce that they’re endorsing St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell for Congress over incumbent Congresswoman Cori Bush.

Organized labor was upset with Bush voting against President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, as well the defense bill.  Both were viewed as critical funding for high-paying union jobs.

In St. Louis some labor leaders feel that Bush has ignored them, and hasn’t fought to bring federal dollars to back into the local economy.

·       Missouri-Kansas Laborers District Council has two locals (Local 42 and Local 110) in CD-1, representing more than 5,700 workers.

What It Means

Bush has faced deep anger from the Jewish community over her stance on the Israeli-Hamas war.  Now, labor throwing their lot in with Bell presents a scenario where a coalition of the discontented gather to make this a race to watch.

Rumorville: Meet The Missouri Freedom Caucus?

Word is that the Senate’s former Conservative Caucus is recoalescing – and rebranding. 

The Conservative Caucus formed in January of 2019 in an effort to push the Senate’s agenda rightward.  It was just six senators.  Four of those original members are now running for statewide office.  (One is the floor leader, and one is a congressman). 

The group formally disbanded in August of 2022, but remained a loose coalition of likeminded senators.

Now I’m told they will be re-emerging as a state affiliate of the Freedom Caucus in Washington DC.

We’ll see if “Freedom Caucus” becomes a slate brand for (Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins, Andrew Koenig) running for statewide office.

·       One intriguing wrinkle… rumor is that Sen. Mike Moon wasn’t accepted by the DC folks, and will be “an associate member” of the new Missouri Freedom Caucus.

And

Freedom Caucus LLC was registered with the secretary of state’s office back in April.  The registered agent was… Robert Frank Onder.

Unsicker Questions Schweich Death

Over the weekend Rep. Sarah Unsicker wrote on Substack that she “never really believed that Tom Schweich’s death, after a whisper campaign against him, was a result of suicide.”

It’s the latest rumination from Unsicker which has her political colleagues shaking their heads in disbelief. 

Minority Leader Crystal Quade removed Unsicker from her committee assignments after she publicly associated with Charles Johnson.

Driving the Day: Onder Hits Campaign Trail

Former Sen. Bob Onder will hit the campaign trail tomorrow morning having declared his candidacy last week.

He’ll have an event in St. Louis suburban Richmond Heights at 10:30AM, and then another at the Missouri Right to Life office in Jefferson City at 2:30PM.

·       It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s unveiling endorsements.  Onder has been a stalwart champion for the pro-life movement so I imagine he’ll be getting MRL’s nod.

Law Ramps Up 2026 St. Chuck Run

A tipster says that Jason Law had an “absolute blowout” fundraising event last week.  Law is running for St. Charles County Executive in 2026.  The current incumbent, Steve Ehlmann, is retiring.  The event was at Bob and Kim Brinkmann’s place in Defiance.

“Over $50K raised with an everyone from every spectrum of the party, including AG Andrew Bailey, Bob Onder, and several other elected officials in the county. It’s the biggest event Brinkmann has ever hosted and he’s done things for Kehoe, HRCC, and several others. Hard to imagine that primary is not game over after this.”

RIP Billy Pat Wright

Kyle Aubuchon passed along news of the death of former Rep. Billy Pat Wright.

I’ll always remember how much he loved being out in the community, attending various events and visiting with folks, and putting up signs for many Republicans in campaign years. May he rest in peace and be reunited with his wife, Linda, who preceded him in death. #moleg #mogov

Lobbyist Registrations

Heath Clarkston and Doug Nelson added Netflix.

Keith Johnson added J&J Ventures Gaming LLC.

Stuart Lindeman added Mission Health Communities LLC.         

Lance Ryan Mayberry added Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Dawn Nicklas added KC Healthy Kids and its affiliates, including but not limited to Greater KC Food Policy Coalition.

Lou Hamilton deleted St. Louis Art Museum Foundation, and QuikTrip Corporation.

Brent Evans deleted American Association of Timeshare Owners (AATO).

Greg Johnston deleted Rockwood Management Corporation.

$5K+ Contributions

House Democratic Campaign Committee -$10,000 from Citizens for Crystal Quade.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $6,000 from Charter Communications.

Wood For Assessor - $20,000 from NorthPoint Development, LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Rep. Dean VanSchoiack.