MOScout Daily Update: Gore Gets Nod? - Other CA Talk - Kehoe and Ashcroft Fundraise - MO Adds Jobs and more...
Quick Friday update…
Gardner Replacement Talk II: Gore Gets Tapped?
Today’s the day we’ll get Governor Mike Parson’s pick to lead the chaotic St. Louis City Prosecutor’s office. The presser is scheduled for 11AM.
My tipster says, “Gabe Gore is the new Circuit attorney.”
See his bio here. You’ll read it and wonder why the guy would jump into this dumpster fire. Truly public service. (Meanwhile, another reader recalls his recent political history: “Just a reminder that Gabe Gore represented Eric Greitens…”) We’ll see.
Also from conversations yesterday…
· Two folks said any talk of Mayor Tishaura Jones holding a grudge against the Dowds is ill-informed. They note that the City Counselor Sheena Hamilton is an alumna of that firm. Jones isn’t backing any specific candidate and is ready to work with whoever takes the reins.
· There is some fear that Kim Gardner might eye running again in 2024. One plugged in city pol predicted that the biz community would close ranks behind Parson’s pick, insuring they’re well-funded to fight off a return from Gardner.
And
Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said “that his office will continue and complete an audit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office that originally began in June of 2021. Despite Gardner's abrupt resignation and her numerous attempts to ignore and delay the release of requested records, Auditor Fitzpatrick said the State Auditor's Office will work to obtain the remaining documents necessary to finish the audit.”
· “We're hopeful the new Circuit Attorney will work in good faith with us to ensure we can finish the audit without further delay. In the event the new Circuit Attorney does not have access to the records we need, we're prepared to take any and all steps necessary, including additional subpoenas and petitions in court, to obtain the needed documents from Kim Gardner directly.”
Gov Candidates Hit Fundraising Trail
· MOScouter: [Ascension’s] Nick Ragone hosted an amazing event for Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe this evening. Lots of prominent Republicans like Jesse Appleton, Andy Blunt, Rich Chrismer, Gregg Keller, Treasurer Vivek Malek were among the 100+ attendees.
· Meanwhile an invite is circulating for a Jay Ashcroft event in June. See it here. Hosts: Kelly and James Bick, Jr. Kristina and Giorgio Bucci, Ashley and Matt Carr, Deborah and Paul Fleischut, Mark J. Gaertner, Chris Graville, Michael Goessling, Ted Jacoby, Tricia and Jim Newell, Julie and Dan Wagner, Tom Walsh, Colleen and David Wasinger, and Mandy and Josh Wright.
What Recession
Missouri keeps creating jobs. From the latest jobs report: “Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,974,600 in April 2023, up by 4,700 from the revised March 2023 figure. The March 2023 total was revised upward by 600 jobs from the preliminary estimate… Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 59,900 jobs from April 2022 to April 2023. The largest gain was in leisure and hospitality (13,700 jobs); manufacturing (11,500 jobs); private education and health services (10,700 jobs); professional and business services (7,700 jobs)…”
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $10,883 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Missouri Cattlemens Association PAC - $10,000 from Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Missouri American Water Employees PAC.
Lobbyists Registrations
Lana Baker deleted Royal Oaks Hospital.
Tony Dugger, Andrew Foley, James Foley, and Chris Liese deleted CDPQ U.S. Inc.
Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, and Christopher Schoeman added Health Pals Company, LLC.
Gary Wheeler added Missouri Soybean Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Chuck Purgason, Will Wheeler, Gary Cross, and Scott Callicott.