MOScout Daily Update: McMullen Amends Committee - PACs Teminations - House Grades and more...

McMullen Amends Committee

Rep. Aaron McMullen amended his campaign committee to run for Senate 11. 

·       This is where Sen. John Rizzo is termed.  But the redistricted Senate 11 now tilts away from Democrats and toward Republicans.  Donald Trump won Senate 11 with 54.5% in 2020.

·       McMullen will likely face Joe Nicola in the Republican primary.  Nicola had primaried Sen. Mike Cierpiot in 2020 in a fierce race.

·       And Rep. Robert Sauls will be the Democratic nominee.

And

Two PACs were terminated, perhaps signaling the end or a pause in political careers.

·       Jack Coatar’s JackPAC was terminated.

·       As was Scott Sifton’s Show Me Leadership PAC.

House Grades…

Here are some “grades” for House legislators.  Send me your feedback.  Tomorrow I’ll do the Senate.

Speaker Dean Plocher: C-

7 House bills TAFP’d. Point the finger at the Senate all you want but ultimately he has to take the blame.  Unable to get IP reform, his top priority, over the finish line despite the Senate passing it.  Many caucus members felt that the session was unfulfilling at best and a total mess at worst.

Floor Leader Jon Patterson: C-

Too deferential to Plocher so he bears some of the blame for the lack of House bill production.

Mike Henderson: B

Of the 7 House bills on the governor’s desk, two of them are Henderson’s.  Also, only leadership member still universally respected by caucus.

Brad Hudson: A-

Respected by both wings of the Republicans caucus.   One of the few involved in the trans legislation that managed to not sully his name in process.

Alex Riley: A-

Becoming the go-to guy in sophomore class.  Works to master policy areas in which he is active, conducts hearings fairly, and interacts with colleagues and lobbyists with humility and honesty.

Brenda Shields A-

Seemingly a bit ideologically out-of-step with her caucus, not in the speaker’s inner circle, and yet… she gets stuff done.

Brad Christ B+

Garnered substantial press attention around the state takeover bill that he handled well, but was always going to face significant Senate opposition.

Ben Keathley B+

Impressive on the floor and in committee.  He’s an attorney who appears to read bills closely.

Bill Hardwick: C+

One of the smartest in the House, but less talk about him headed for leadership.  His handling of the vaccine bill might not have helped.

Bennie Cook: D

Had trouble explaining one of the watched bills of the session, his own trans bill, when presented at committee. 

Crystal Quade: B

What can you do, what can you say? It’s a tough hand being in the super-minority.  But there seemed to be was marked drop in drama among Dems this year.  I’ll chalk that up to leadership.

Deb Lavender: A-

Always prepared. Always substantive.

Peter Merideth: B+

He doesn’t convert Republicans with his floor speeches or lines of questioning.  But I suspect that’s not the point.  He did manage a couple of viral videos…

David Tyson Smith: B+

One of the Dems who’s able to frame his arguments so Republicans will listen.

Del Taylor: B

Quietly studying the House. Taylor’s looks like he’s on the 8-year plan.  Not trying to grab headlines or pull quotes.  The freshman on Budget, he’s putting in the work.

$5K+ Contributions

Evergy Employee PowerPAC - Missouri - $14,000 from Evergy Employee PowerPAC – Missouri.

Lobbyists Registrations

Ryan DeBoef added The Doula Foundation.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Travis Fitzwater.