MOScout Daily Update: More Labor Endorsements for Bell - Meet the MO Freedom Caucus - Gannon Confirms She's Out and more...

1 Big Thing: Here Comes the Freedom Caucus

The rumor I wrote about on Monday appears to be coming true.  The Senate’s former Conservative Caucus is recoalescing – and rebranding – as the Freedom Caucus. 

Sen. Bill Eigel re-tweeted out the teaser.  See it here.  It yielded a few more nuggets of information…

·       The Missouri Freedom Caucus will be part of the State Freedom Caucus Network.

·       This new version will include House members.  According to the picture, membership in the new caucus consists of six senators (Sens. Rick Brattin, Jill Carter, Eigel, Denny Hoskins, Andrew Koenig, and Nick Schroer) and three state representatives (Reps. Mazzie Christensen, Ben Keathley, and Justin Sparks).

·       Former Speaker Tim Jones will be involved.  Perhaps he’ll be filling Jim Lembke’s role as a staffer to the new caucus, and/or chief cat herder.

Almost immediately, there was criticism…

·       Uber-conservative consultant Gregg Keller tweeted his concern that school choice wasn’t a litmus test.

·       Another Republican recalled that Sparks once voted for an anti-2A amendment.

Divining who is pure enough to be holy is a tricky business.

The Conservative Caucus formed in January of 2019 in an effort to push the Senate’s agenda rightward.  The group formally disbanded in August of 2022, but remained a loose coalition of likeminded senators.

What It Means

While it’s possible that each side has learned something from the last go-round of the Conservative Caucus, I inclined to see this as bad news for Republican unity, and their ability to pass meaningful legislation. 

But it does provide a branding platform for Sens. Eigel, Hoskins and Koenig as they run statewide.

Driving the Day: More Bell Labor Endorsements

Later today, Wesley Bell will announce new more labor endorsements, Sheet Metal Workers SMART Local Union 36 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655. 

This follows Monday’s endorsement from Missouri-Kansas Laborers District Council.

As I wrote on Monday, organized labor is upset with Cori Bush for voting against President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, as well the defense bill.  Both were viewed as critical funding for high-paying union jobs.
Why It Matters

With each union that steps out to break with the incumbent, it emboldens others to do the same. Bell is putting together a coalition which poses a very credible threat to Bush’s re-election.

Senate 3 3-Way

Sen. Elaine Gannon announced that she won’t seek re-election in Senate 3.  This has been rumored for a year or so.  But was never confirmed.

 “After session ended this year, I had a chance to spend a significant amount of time with my family, and I got the opportunity to reflect on my service and how it has impacted the time I am able to spend with my growing grandchildren.  This is time I cannot get back once it is gone, and committing to serve another four years simply was not the right choice for me and my family at this time.”

It looks like a 3-way Republican primary to replace her…

·       John Hewkin, a pharmacist, has been running under the assumption that Gannon would drop.

·       Rep. Mike Henderson will announce very soon. It’s said that he’s already lined up a number of endorsements.

·       And Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway.  One MOScouter says that “her husband works for Dennis Gannon so they have been preparing for this.”

Parson to Omaha

Per the governor’s public schedule today: Governor Mike Parson will travel to Omaha, Nebraska for a meeting on Missouri River issues with Governor Reynolds of Iowa, Governor Pillen of Nebraska, and representatives from the Kansas Water Office. The Governors will hold a joint press conference following the meeting.

Lobbyist Registrations

Will Blaylock added Missouri National Guard Association.

Jean Evans added Missourians for Fair Business Practices.

Steven Kester added Apple Inc.

$5K+ Contributions

Back on Track America PAC - $25,000 from Cook Family Foundation.

Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $74,183 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Cheryl Dillard.