MOScout Daily Update: Scharf Lands Club for Growth - Webber Breaks $$ Record - Pro-Parker PAC - New Minimum Wage IP Coming? and more...
Quick Friday update…
Club for Growth PAC Endorses Scharf
Yesterday the Club for Growth PAC announced it was endorsing Will Scharf in Missouri’s Attorney General Race. In the press release (see it here), the PAC notes that “Club for Growth Action is one of the largest independent Super PACs in the country. During the 2022 cycle, Club for Growth PAC won 71% of its races.”
Why It Matters
· Club for Growth is one of the big gorillas of national conservative PACs. According to FactCheck.org, “in the 2020 cycle, Club for Growth Action spent $71.2 million, including $65.5 million on independent expenditures.”
· Last quarter Scharf recorded a check from Leonard Leo, leader of the Federalist Society, another well-funded and politically active organization.
· There seems no doubt that Scharf will have some huge allies as he takes on Attorney General Andrew Bailey.
First in MOScout: Webber Breaks State Senate Record
Stephen Webber, running in Senate 19 to replace termed Sen. Caleb Rowden, will announce today that his campaign raised over $300,000 – a sum they believe is the largest ever for a first quarter (not including self-funders).
“Webber raised money into his candidate committee ($104,447) and his affiliated Homefront PAC ($203,636). His total of over $308,000 was the most outside money raised in a State Senate race that his campaign could find record of during the 1st quarter of a campaign cycle.”
· Webber is trying to put this race to bed before it gets started by rolling up endorsements and raising big money.
Looking Around the Corner: IP Campaign Coming?
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages was formed. See the paperwork here. It’s a campaign committee to pass an undefined initiative petition.
My guess is that it’ll be a vehicle to support one of the IPs filed by Jobs With Justice. They’ve filed numerous versions of workers’ rights packages including requirements for guaranteed paid sick leave, regulated work breaks, and a higher minimum wage.
· The treasurer of the committee is Charlie O’Reilly, former president and CEO of O’Reilly Auto Parts. He was quoted in The St. Louis Review explaining his support for a higher minimum wage: As a Catholic, O’Reilly said, “it’s a pretty easy connection — social justice and helping those who need help.”
· The deputy treasurer is Democratic fundraiser Mike Pridmore.
Moon’s Pre-Teen Marriage Controversy
After an exchange with Rep. Peter Merideth went viral, Sen. Mike Moon sought to explain his position on minors (and pre-teens) getting married, explaining the nuances in a video. See it here.
Post-Dispatch reports on it here.
Why It Matters
In the suburban districts, swing voters tend to run away from the party which seems craziest. Give this round to the Dems.
Phelps Kicks Off
Tipster says that Brandon Phelps who’s running to replacing Rep. Dan Houx in House 54 has an “elbows to elbows” crowd at his kick-off last night. “Excited to see his report in July to see his haul in donations.”
Pro-Parker PAC
A PAC has been started to support Rep. Cameron Parker. It’s called CP4Missouri PAC. See the paperwork here.
Parker is a freshman Republican from the bootheel (House 150). She was unopposed in both her primary and general elections.
$5K+ Contributions
Uniting Missouri PAC (pro-Parson) - $10,000 from Curio Holdings LLC.
Lobbyists Registrations
Tony Dugger added Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc.
Jon Hensley added 1900 Vine Street LLC, and Vine Parking LLC.
Allison Herrity added National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD).
Maureen McDonnell added St. Louis Realtors.
John Bardgett and Mark Habbas deleted City of Wentzville.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Brad Robinson, Lori Hatton Rasmussen, and Mark Boyko.