MOScout Daily Update: Smith Opts Against Senate Run - More MO Freedom Caucus Deets - Unsicker Drops - StateLine Hires Schrimpf - Schaefer's New Firm and more...

Scoop: Smith Decides Against Senate Run

Rep. Travis Smith has decided not to run for Senate 33 where Sen. Karla Eslinger is vacating her seat at the end of session to become the new commissioner of education.

Smith reportedly met with Rep. Brad Hudson about the race and determined it was in the best interest of constituents to avoid a divisive primary. Smith expressed to Hudson that his biggest concern is the counties in the district which don’t have a large tax base and depend on state aid and services.

Smith, currently in his second term as state representative, will return to the House.

·       Smith did not rule out running in four years if he thinks the district isn’t being well served.

Exclusive: More Freedom Caucus Details

The new Missouri Freedom Caucus is the twelfth state to join the State Freedom Caucus Network.  The State Network provides research, legal and staffing support, but the Missouri Freedom Caucus is self-governing.  They won’t be taking marching orders from their mothership.

Tim Jones will staff the organization, but he technically works for the State Freedom Caucus Network.

Its founding membership in Missouri includes six senators and five state representatives: Sens. Rick Brattin, Jill Carter, Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins, Andrew Koenig, and Nick Schroer, and Reps. Mazzie Christensen, Holly Jones, Ben Keathley, Brian Seitz, and Justin Sparks.

Brattin is the chair of the new caucus, and Sparks is the vice-chair.

Sen. Mike Moon was denied initial induction into the group because he’s too often a hard No on matters.  However, Moon will likely be invited to join soon.

Others who may join as the group expands… Reps. Doug Richey, and Darin Chappell.  AND, it’s possible former Sen. Bob Onder could become an “honorary member.”

The top priorities for the Caucus will be initiative petition reform and reining in the state budget.  The caucus will likely push for concurrent majorities as their preferred IP fix.  And expect detailed scrutiny of the budget.

Meanwhile

A mini-tweet-street-fight broke out between Senate Pro Tem Caleb Rowden and new MOFreedom Caucus members Jill Carter, Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins over the issue of school choice.

·       Looks like it won’t be all smooth sailing in the session ahead….

Unsicker Drops

In the latest oddity of the ongoing drama involving Rep. Sarah Unsicker, she announced that she’s dropping out of the Democratic attorney general’s race.  At the same time, she called on her opponent, Elad Gross, to withdraw saying she’d seen a complaint filed against him.

See the statement here.

Schrimpf to Stateline

Erin Schrimpf is joining StateLine Strategies LLP,

From the press release: Erin began her career serving as a public affairs aide to Mayor Sly James in Kansas City, Missouri from 2011 to 2014… In 2018, Erin joined Tightline Public Affairs where she served as spokesperson and communications director on the statewide ballot campaigns for the right-to-work repeal and medical marijuana. In 2020, Erin pivoted to the corporate sector where she joined Cerner Corporation as an executive communications manager supporting Cerner’s C-suite executives on strategic communications.

·       StateLine Strategies, LLP is a partnership formed between Sam Panettiere and Jeremy LaFaver. 

Schaefer and Gatwood Hang Out a Shingle

Former Sen. Kurt Schaefer and Aly Gatwood are leaving Lathrop Gage where they’ve been for the pasts several years and starting a new firm, Schaefer Law & Policy, LLC.

I’m told the exit is amicable. They’ll still work with Lathrop while continuing their lobbying practice without interruption, and in fact very little will change in their operations.

·       This evolution in the lobbyist business model is becoming routine in Jefferson City.  Nexus Group left the Dentons law firm to go out on their own; Gibbons and Workman did the same when they left Stinson.

Help Wanted

Brightspeed seeks Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager. “In this role, you will be responsible for developing, building, and maintaining business relationships with key stakeholders, including state and local government officials, broadband grant offices, state public utility commissions, and other internal business teams in states within Brightspeed’s operating territory.”  See the posting here.

Lobbyist Registrations

Joe Bruns added Burton-Liese LLC.

$5K+ Contributions

Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $10,000 from Missouri Gaming PAC.

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $20,000 from Northland Strong PAC.

Liberty and Justice PAC (pro- Bailey) - $7,500 from Elster Law Office LLC.

Hahn DeBoef PAC - $25,000 from James Stapleton.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Ric Telhorst.