MOScout Weekender: Gore ?? on Re-elect - Senate 17 Analysis - Webber in STL - Hallway on Patterson - WWTW and more...
Parson Picks Gore
Governor Mike Parson announced Gabe Gore as his choice to be the new St. Louis City Prosecutor. Post-Dispatch reports that Gore wouldn’t commit to running for re-election.
He will serve out the remainder of Gardner’s term, which ends Jan. 1, 2025, but he said he has not decided if he will run for reelection. “That is not something I’m focused on right now,” he said.
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, a longtime ally of Gardner who in recent months said Gardner needed to do some “soul-searching” to decide if she wanted to be circuit attorney, said Gore has her support. “If he decides to run, I would absolutely (vote for him),” she said. “I’ve known Gabe for a long time.”
· “I’m focused on doing my job” is a well-worn politico cliché to delay announcements until a time of the candidate’s choosing. In this case, however, it would help the perception of stability in the office if Gore announced his intention. Do folks want to join a chaotic situation if the leader might step down in 18 months?
Webber in STL
Stephen Webber had a monster fundraiser in St. Louis this week at the Creve Coeur home of former Sen. Jill Schupp. The event program featured tributes to current and former 24th District senators: Schupp, Joan Bray, and Tracy McCreery (who introduced Webber), and highlighted the breadth of his support from progressive women. The main theme was Webber’s fight to protect vulnerable people being targeted by the powerful. He spoke of his mother in a toxic domestic situation, the troops he led in Fallujah, and now, vulnerable Missourians targeted by bullying policies. The crowd he attracted over 100 miles from his district shows that Webber’s fundraising juggernaut continues unabated.
Missouri Mapper: Senate 17
In lieu of the Weekly poll, this week here’s a report on Senate 17 from the Missouri Mapper. View the full report and all the maps here.
In the race for US Senate, Trudy Busch Valentine carried SD 17, located in southwestern Clay County, by 4,330 votes (7.6%). Incumbent Democratic Senator Lauren Arthur is prevented from seeking re-election due to term limits. The redistricting process made SD 17 somewhat more Democratic, as the Republican-leaning suburb of Liberty was removed from the district, but this open seat will still likely be targeted by Missouri Republicans targets.
Four house districts are located entirely inside of SD 17 (HD 15, HD16, HD17, and HD18). Where fielded, Republican State House candidates outran Schmitt, though the degree to which they overperformed varied widely:
· In HD 15, Democrat Maggie Nurrenbern just about matched Trudy Busch Valentine, underperforming her by 0.3%
· In HD 16, Republican Chris Brown outran Schmitt by a 18.9% margin
· In HD 17, Republican Bill Allen outran Schmitt by 4.9% margin
· In HD 18, Democratic Eric Woods ran unopposed.
MOScout’s Hallway Index: Next Speaker
I asked lobbyists, “ Who will be the Speaker in January 2025?” 25 replies…
RESULTS
1. Bill Falkner… 0%
2. Jon Patterson… 76%
3. Someone else… 24%
Sample of Comments
· Easiest Hallway question of all time, Patterson.
· [Someone else] One's practically a Dem, the other is in the pocket of the conservative caucus and everyone knows it. There's a wide open lane for someone to cut through the bull and get shit done.
· It's Patterson's to lose. However, his list of detractors is growing. Being one of 3 to vote against a caucus priority is not winning over any members.
· Who's Bill Falkner?
· There is zero chance that Patterson is not the next Speaker.
· Patterson has done everything he needs to do.
· Didn’t how Patterson handled the last day of session (not being dictated to by the Eigel-ites on the last day) secure the confidence in his leadership ability.
Who Won the Week?
Gabe Gore – Obviously we’re in the honeymoon period, but it’s nice to see this appointment win such acclaim and pledges of cooperation.
Mike Kehoe – Strong kick-off event. Governor Mike Parson was in attendance, an implicit endorsement of Kehoe’s bid.
Maggie Kost – Heads to Greater St. Louis Inc after a stint leading the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Stephen Webber – Held a big event in St. Louis. Democrats around the state are responding well to his pitch that he’ll be the first state senate win outside of the STL and KC areas in decades.
Find a downloadable version here.
$5K+ Contributions
CN-MO PAC- $25,000 from Missouri Time Sales Service, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Justin Arnold, and Kyle Juvers.
Sunday: MO McCullough.