MOScout Daily Update: Schnelting Signals Scorched Earth Campaign - Lonsdale Waffles on Hannegan Highway - Roe for DeSantis and more...
Quick Friday update…
1 Big Thing: Ugly Senate GOP Primaries Ahead
I was forwarded an invite from Rep. Adam Schnelting (below) to a kick-off for his Senate 23 bid. In it, he attacks his primary opponent, Rep. Phil Christofanelli, as a “very woke, social liberal who voted to codify sexual orientation and gender into law.”
· One MOScouter lamented the attacks on Christofanelli, an openly gay Republican, “This isn’t a dogwhistle, it’s a bullhorn.”
Some folks will point to term limits as the catalyst for vicious primaries as they ensure that state representatives are routinely pitted against each other to continue their careers.
Others will blame the stretched Republican supermajorities for creating a caucus so big that rifts and factions (right-wing versus far-right-wing) are inevitable.
And some will blame Donald Trump and the MAGA movement for normalizing outrageous claims and attacks.
Regardless the cause: it looks like we’ll be in for another rowdy round of primaries in 2024. Buckle up.
Productive Week
The legislature had a productive week back from Spring Break…
· The Senate moved the transgender issues bills, hopefully lowering tensions in that chamber and clearing the way for a productive second half.
· House Budget finished their mark-up, setting up the full body to pass it out next week.
· The House also moved the “landfill bill” as well as the sports betting, and their huge tax cut bill.
Lonsdale Waffles on Memorial
Among the items the House moved through this week was a bill renaming part of a highway in honor of the late Rep. Tom Hannegan. The resolution from Rep. Adam Schwadron was passed unanimously – after a little arm-twisting.
Rep. Chris Lonsdale initially wouldn’t vote for it. He voted present instead. But several members cajoled him – and eventually after Speaker Dean Plocher gave him the eye – he changed his vote to Yes. See the video here of Plocher giving him the stern talking to.
Roe Signs On with DeSantis PAC
Politico reports… A super PAC closely aligned with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is making a major expansion, bringing on a top Republican strategist and establishing its headquarters in Atlanta… Jeff Roe, who previously ran Sen. Ted Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign, has signed on to be an adviser to the super PAC, Never Back Down, according to an operative with direct knowledge of the move.
2024 Watch
· State Treasurer Vivek Malek is out there working it… See him at the Johnson County Lincoln Days here.
· Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe continues to chug away at the fundraising… About $70K hitting his PAC, American Dream PAC, in the past week.
Lobbyists Registrations
Mark Habbas added Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association.
Sophia Heimowitz and Courtney Joslin added R Street Institute.
Billl Shoehigh deleted Accela, Inc.
Tim Green deleted Bellefontaine Parents Association.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Scott Engelbrecht.
MILA PAC - $5,100 from Brundage Management Company, Inc.
MILA PAC - $5,400 from Tower Loan of Missouri LLC dba Tower Loan of West Springfield.
Progress PAC - $6,000 from Anthony Thompson.
Jennings For Judge - $10,000 from Jessica Jennings.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Chris Liese, Matt Bain, Kelly Schulz, and Tony Wyche.