MOScout Daily Update: Labor IP Gets $360K - First Look at Baily Campaign Team - Rumor: Pereles in Senate 15? and more...

1 Big Thing: New Labor IP Coming

The progressive Sixteen Thirty Fund sent a $350,000 check to Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages, a campaign committee established to advance a “statewide ballot measure on working conditions.”

There have been many initiative petitions filed dealing with working conditions.  We’ll see which version they choose to pursue.  Among the provisions being considered…

·       requirements for guaranteed paid sick leave.

·       regulated work breaks.

·       a higher minimum wage.

What It Means

·       This IP effort has legs – and money.

·       Economic populism has worked well in Missouri in the past (minimum wage increase, reversing right to work).

·       While it theoretically can help turnout among Democratic constituencies, it’s not likely to be a substantial boost from the already juiced turnout coming in another Trump presidential run.   

 

First in MOScout: Bailey Campaign Team

Bailey for Missouri announces senior campaign team:

·       General Consultant: Michael Hafner, Regional Director at TLC Political, veteran of 10 Missouri statewide races including senior leadership roles for the campaigns of Governor Mike Parson (2020), Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (2020/2024), Lt. Governor Peter Kinder (2012), and the MO Republican Party (2008)

·       Media Consultant and Sr. Strategist: Timmy Teepell, Partner at On Message, Inc., and Sr. Strategist and Media Consultant to US Senator Josh Hawley

·       Pollster: Wes Anderson, Partner at On Message, Inc., leading pollster for the NRSC and statewide clients including Rick Scott, Ron Johnson, Tom Cotton, and Josh Hawley

·       Finance Director: Shannon Tidwell, Political Advisor to Governor Mike Parson and Consultant to Uniting Missouri PAC

·       National Fundraiser: Mary Claire Barnes, Owner of Cardinal Strategies, led fundraising for US Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R- LA), Scalise Leadership Fund, Heritage Action for America, and GOPAC

·       Contract Fundraisers (Missouri): Donna English, Owner of Capitol Consulting, and Finance Consultant to the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee (MSCC)

·       Treasurer: Marc Ellinger, Partner at Ellinger Bell

 

Rumorville: Pereles in Senate 15?

Tipster says that “Joe Pereles is making calls telling people he’s running for SD15.”

 

Who is Pereles?  He was general counsel for Drury Hotels; he’s now retired and has been involved in many volunteer and civic endeavors.  Read a bio piece on him (from the Ladue News) here.

Can he win? Though it’s not a walk-away Republican district, it’s all uphill for a Dem as it’s consistently Republican.

2022 races in SD 15:

U.S. Senator for Missouri: Schmitt (R) +1.8%

Missouri State Auditor: Fitzpatrick (R) +14.1%

U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District: Wagner (R) +9.9%

St. Louis County Executive: Mantovani (R) +18.8%

St. Louis County Assessor: Pfeifer (R) +9.7%

What It Means:  It’s a great recruit. Pereles looks like he has the potential to self-fund in a race that otherwise wouldn’t be competitive, thus keeping vital Dems resources available in other areas (like Senate 1 defense).

 

Warrenton Oil Adds $$$

In the large contributions (below) Warrenton Oil sent $90,000 to various PACs allied with their lobbyist Steven Tilley.

·       Warrenton operates FastLane Convenience Stores and has been involved in the never-ending saga over “gray” video lottery terminals.

 

Bailey Loses Court Fight With Fitz

Missouri Independent reports on a ruling from Judge Jon Beetem rebuking Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s maneuvers in the pro-choice initiative petition process.  Read the ruling here.

Bailey told MI he’s be appealing the decision, but it wasn’t a good look. 

·       One Republican snarkily texted me: This is embarrassing… getting manhandled by, checks his notes, the state auditor in court…

Meanwhile

At 9AM, Bailey is testifying in front of a House Oversight Subcommittee at a hearing titled “Churches vs. Casinos: The Constitution is not Suspended in Times of Crisis” that examines the constitutionality of federal, state, and local actions during the COVID-19 pandemic that infringed on the civil liberties of Americans.

 

Birch Takes Gubby Policy Spot

Press release: Governor Mike Parson announced he has named Jamie Birch, 34, to serve as a member of his senior staff as Director of Policy, effective immediately. Birch most recently served as Governor Parson's Deputy Director of Policy.

 

KC Council Results

Among the winners and losers last night in Kansas City were a few familiar names.  See the full results here.  Coming up short…

·       Brandon Ellington

·       Henry Rizzo

 

Richey Kick Off

Here was the scene last night at Rep. Doug Richey’s state senate kick-off in Camden, MO.

Among the crowd: former Speaker Tim Jones, former Sen. Bob Onder, and former Rep. Bob Nance

Kehoe Collects Checks Tonight in KC

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe has a big fundraiser tonight in Kansas City.  See the invite here.  On the host committee: Lisa & Kenneth Block, Anne & Steve Dunn, Terry Dunn, Jenny Erdman, Sherry & Gary Forsee, Marlys & Mick Haverty, Tami & Dr. Jim Kelly, Marianne & Terry Kilroy, Carolyn & Stan Kuecker, Lucinda & Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, Mary Ann & Nick Powell, Jeanette & Kevin Prenger, Kim & Matt Roney, Diane & Allan Samson, Ann & Frank Uryasz, Chasitie & Mike Walden.

 

Fitzwater Job Change

Sen. Travis Fitzwater is leaving the Missouri Pharmacy Association.  He writes on LinkedIn:

After an incredible journey spanning over 16 years with a remarkable non-profit organization, the time has come for me to bid farewell and embark on an exciting new adventure. Beginning July 1, with both gratitude and enthusiasm, I will set out to fully focus (outside of being a State Senator) on building our company, Kardia Media.

 

Baker’s Coffee Venture

Axiom-ite Aaron Baker has opened a coffee shop in his hometown of Atlanta (Missouri) with a twist – it’s self-serve coffee and it’s free!

Read about it here.

 

Lobbyists Registrations

Kathyrn Harness deleted Missouri Self Storage Owners Association.

 

$5K+ Contributions

Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $350,000 from Sixteen Thirty Fund (Washington DC).

Hruza for Missouri - $42,656 from George Hruza.

Committee for Liberty (pro-Ashcroft) - $25,000 from John Ashcroft.

Club for Growth Action - Missouri Federal Committee - $533,790 from Defend Missouri (pro-Scharf).

Missouri First - $25,000 from QC Holdings Inc. (Lenexa KS).

Conservative Leaders of Missouri - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Missouri Senior PAC - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Missouri Growth PAC - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

MO Majority PAC LLC - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Missouri C PAC - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Missouri AG PAC - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Catalyst PAC - $25,000 from Quality Schools Coalition.

 

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Mike Pridmore, Jeff Shawan, and Hank Thompson.

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