MOScout Weekender: Chrismer for Senate 23 - MOians Don't Favor Corp Tax Cut - Views of Trump Indictment Scenario and more...
Senate 23 Heats Up
The primary to replace Sen. Bill Eigel is popping…
· Rep. Phil Christofanelli held a packed event with school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis in St Charles last night raising over $10K from local donors. Attendees included County Executive Steve Ehlmann, Former Sen. Tom Dempsey, Reps. Adam Schwadron, Wendy Hausmann, Tony Lovasco, Jim Murphy, and Travis Wilson, Former Reps. Shamed Dogan, Derek Grier, and John Wiemann, and conservative attorneys Jen Bukowsky and Stephanie Bell.
· Over at the St. Charles Lincoln Days, former St. Charles Elections Director Rich Chrismer apparently announced his candidacy for the race with an ad in the program (see it here). Chrismer ran into some discrimination allegations during his tenure as director. He’s pops to the younger Rich Chrismer, spox to the GOP stars.
· Finally, one Republican reacts to yesterday’s blurb about Rep. Adam Schnelting’s messaging on the race: If Schnelting thinks homophobia alone can get him through a GOP primary he has another thing coming. This is the Senate district that Tom Hannegan consistently won a portion of as an out Republican.
Remington/MOScout Poll: Statewide Poll
Survey conducted March 22 through March 23, 2023. 1,478 likely 2024 November Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2024 November Election. Margin of Error is +/-3% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding. Survey conducted by Remington Research Group on behalf of Missouri Scout. Find full results here.
Q1: Do you approve or disapprove of Josh Hawley’s job as senator?
Approve: 43%
Disapprove: 42%
Unsure: 15%
Q2: Do you approve or disapprove of Mike Parson’s job as governor of Missouri?
Approve: 48%
Disapprove: 35%
Unsure: 18%
Q3: The state legislature is considering various tax relief measures. Which of the follow would be your preferred action?
Cut the corporate tax rate: 4%
Cut the sales tax on food: 29%
Cut the state income tax: 13%
Cut taxes across the board: 27%
Cut no taxes: 10%
Unsure: 16%
Q4: From you have heard about the possible indictment of Donald Trump, which best describes your reaction?
Donald Trump is the target of a political attack: 47%
No one is above the law: 47%
Unsure: 5%
Q5: Attorney General Andrew Bailey is seeking a court order to oust Saint Louis City Prosecutor Kim Gardner. Do you support Bailey’s action?
Yes, I support Bailey: 41%
No, I do not support Bailey: 21%
Unsure: 38%
MOScout’s Hallway Index: Tough Issues In Final Stretch
I asked lobbyists which issue had the best chance of passing this session. 24 replies…
RESULTS
1. Initiative petition reform… 20.8%
2. Open enrollment… 33.3%
3. Sports betting… 12.5%
4. St Louis Police takeover… 33.3%
Sample of Comments
· [Sports betting] This is one of the few issues that both chambers agree on and is actually moving forward.
· The path for open enrollment is much clearer than these other issues.
· [IP reform] Most Rs agree, and Ds know that it will ultimately fail on the ballot anyway.
· I chose STL Police takeover, but I don’t think any of these things happen.
· [Open enrollment] Path of least resistance
Who Won the Week?
Phil Christofanelli – Lining up lots of support for his Senate 23 bid.
Sports Betting – 118 votes in the House, a functioning Senate and a good chunk of time left to get it done.
Benjamin Peters – Promoted to Assistant Director of House Media.
Marijuana manufacturing license holders – Their value, according to secondary market offers is running about $1.5M.
Dean Plocher – Will the $1B tax cut make it through the Senate? Unlikely to resemble anything like the bill the House passed. But that won’t stop Plocher from talking about having passed the huge cut when he runs statewide in 2024.
Find a downloadable version here.
Bushmann Passes
Eugene George Bushmann, age 89, of Jefferson City, Mo., died on Tuesday, March 21. 2023 at his home….
Gene was employed by Attorney General John Dalton and later by Thomas F. Eagleton. In 1965 he was appointed as the Missouri Administrative Hearing Officer, serving as judge over disciplinary matters involving licensed professionals, such as doctors, dentists, insurance agents, and others…
Gene has been a member of the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission, the Missouri Prison Redevelopment Commission, the Friends of the Missouri State Archives, the Cole County Historical Society, and the Downtown Rotary Club of Jefferson City. Gene was also active for many years in the Missouri Democratic Party, including State Democratic Chairman in 1992 when he helped with the election of a Democratic President and all statewide office holders…
$5K+ Contributions
Citizens for Callie Carroll - $6,666 from Springfield Good Government Committee.
Citizens For Ken McClure - $6,666 from Springfield Good Government Committee.
Derek Lee for Council - $6,666 from Springfield Good Government Committee.
SWMO Forward PAC - $7,000 from Gail Griswold.
SWMO Forward PAC - $10,000 from Robert Wilson.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Reps. Mark Matthiesen and Chris Sander, Erica Choinka, Jason Holsman, Robert Cornejo, Doug Libla, and Saundra McDowell.
Sunday: Ed Smith.