MOScout Daily Update: Waiting on Cody, Holly and Mike - SB35 Push - Go Fund Me to Leave MO and more....
Waiting on Cody…
I’ve been keeping a spreadsheet of the 2024 candidates, and there are a couple that are stuck in the “rumored” stage. We’re about a year and six weeks away from the 2024 primary, but there seems to be little rush for some candidates.
State Treasurer Vivek Malek is still unopposed. Last week his PAC, American Promise PAC, recorded another large contribution ($50K).
How long until Rep. Cody Smith makes a formal announcement? He amended his campaign committee but there seems to be no hurry to “enter the fray” of a Republican primary.
The feeling from Team Cody seems to be that he’ll have no problem raising money as the House Budget Chair and there’s no upside to being an official candidate.
Malek, meanwhile, posted a strong opening fundraising, and is tapping into the Indian American community is bringing new donors into the political pipeline.
FYI
April cash on-hand numbers…
Malek: $468,286 // PAC: $699,981
Smith: $209,183 // PAC: $73,250
And Holly Too…
Another pol we’re waiting on is Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, who’s expected to run for lieutenant governor eschewing re-election in Senate 27.
Speaker Dean Plocher is the only declared Republican for LG so far, and he had a big fundraising lead over Thomson Rehder – as of the April report. Plocher has $475 COH (with another $765K in his PAC, while Thompson Rehder had $164K with $50K in her PAC.
· Additionally, political watchers are curious how a Senate 27 Republican primary will shape up. It promises to be a hot one… Reps. Jamie Burger, Barry Hovis, John Voss are potential contenders. And we could potentially see a return to the arena of Kathy Swan?
Bills in the Balance
We’re also waiting on the governor’s final decision on bills that the legislature passed. July 14 is the deadline for Governor Mike Parson to veto bills. It has some advocates rallying to give their issue one final push.
Here’s a letter with that aim…
Good day, Legislator:
Without you and the bipartisan support of the Assembly, SB 35 would not have been Third Read And Finally Passed and with huge bipartisan support. These days happen fewer and fewer and are to be celebrated.
However, even with this amazing win, and even with Governor Parson having made a moving proclamation in favor of child custody reform, we have some legislators still being pushed by special interests and attempting in the most underhanded of ways, to stop Governor Parson from signing SB 35.
We are asking for your continued help and support. Can you call or write Governor Parson and make these simple points, below? We are running out of time which is why we are contacting you on this beautiful Saturday in June…
The bill simply creates a starting point of equal time, and the judge retains full discretion as a key feature of SB 35. This bill is a huge win for Missouri families and children who are traumatized both emotionally and financially with our current winner take all system.
Please let Governor Parson know Missouri is at a crossroads. We can cave in to special interests or we can make a change for children and families. Please contact the Governor and his team and encourage them to have Governor Parson sign SB 35. Call today!
Sincerely,
Linda Reutzel
Missouri Chair
NPO
Go Fund Me to Leave MO
Kaiser Health News has a story of folks leaving their states because of changes to transgender laws. Read it here.
· They highlight some Missourians in their story, including one who’s launched a Go Fund Me page to “escape Missouri.” See it here.
Trump Roe Tussle
Former President Donald Trump and DeSantis consultant Jeff Roe continue their occasional online slap-flight. See it here.
· MOScouter: Donald Trump seems to enjoy poking Jeff Roe. Phenomenal advertisement for Axiom!
Coyan Promoted
CoxHealth statement: We are thrilled to share that Teresa Coyan, our vice president of governmental relations, is taking on an additional role as our new Corporate Chief of Staff! This dual role bring together her talents for advocating for CoxHealth's interests at the local, state, and national levels, while also ensuring effective internal coordination and community connection. Teresa has been with CoxHealth for 15 years, and she is a respected leader, has a passion for our organization’s mission, and is an advocate for our region….
Gordon Retires
Mark Gordon has retired as president of the Missouri Broadcasters Association. Chad Mahoney has taken his place, becoming the fourth full-time President and CEO of the Missouri Broadcasters Association.
While working as a broadcast journalist, Chad received multiple national and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, regional Emmy® Awards, and hundreds of awards from broadcasters’ associations in multiple states. As the MBA President and CEO, Chad researches and plans training programs and offers legal/regulatory resources for the association’s member stations. He works to ensure that the best interests of Missouri’s broadcasters are represented before regulatory agencies and state and federal government.
FYI
MBA’s Jeff City lobbyists are Heath Clarkston, and Doug Nelson.
eMailbag on Trump Impact Poll
Would love to see how many people in that poll actually read the indictment.
Lobbyists Registrations
Ray Shepherd added World Wide Technology.
$5K+ Contributions
Freedom Incorporated - $25,000 from Heavy Constructors Association.
Freedom Incorporated - $8,500 from United We Stand.
314 Forward - $17,400 from Kai Design & Build Enterprises LLC.
314 Forward - $10,000 from HNTB Missouri PAC - Federal Committee.
Southern Drawl PAC (pro-Rehder) - $10,000 from Crossland Holding Company LLC (Columbus, KS).
Southern Drawl PAC - $10,000 from Crossland Heavy Contractors Inc (Columbus, KS)
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Eric Schmitt and Jami Wade.