MOScout Daily Update: Plocher's In - Ashcroft To Run On Abortion - SCOMO Day - Sensible MO Ballot Language and more...

Plocher’s In

House Speaker Dean Plocher is putting final touches on his plan to launch his bid for lieutenant governor. Sources close to Plocher say it will be late September.  

I’m told that Plocher decided months ago he would delay his announcement so that it wouldn't interfere with summer caucus, veto session, or pre-session planning.

1 Big Thing: Ashcroft To Run on Abortion

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft appears to be leaning into the abortion debate as he revs up his campaign for governor.  He – and wife Katie Ashcroft – penned a joint op/ed in the Heartlander about current fronts in the pro-life war.

Read it here.

The decision to move the issue front and center in Republican primary for governor comes after Missouri Right to Life gave Ashcroft its sole endorsement and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said he’d be open to adding exceptions to rape and incest to the current abortion ban.

What It Means

·       It’s a long-established tenet to run as far right as you can in a Republican primary.

·       But polling shows most Republicans agree with adding exceptions.

·       And Democrats are hoping to make the Dobbs decision a cornerstone of the 2024 election.

Driving the Day: SCOMO Panel

According to last month’s press release (see it here), the Appellate Judicial Commission, which has been interviewing candidates to replace George W. Draper III on the Missouri Supreme Court, is expected to meet at approximately 1PM today, after interviews conclude to select the three nominees from this applicant pool for the governor’s consideration.

Sensible MO Ballot Language

Last week Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft released the ballot title for the petitions filed by Sensible Missouri. Sensible is the non-profit hoping to put incremental gun control language before Missouri voters. Their proposals would allow the urban jurisdictions to regulate firearms.

Ashcroft’s ballot title will make passage harder for them.

·       The petition’s language emphasizes that jurisdictions could only make regulations in compliance with the Second Amendment, Supreme Court ruling and federal law.

·       But Ashcroft’s language emphasizes that the petition “could supersede the Second Amendment Preservation Act.”

Why It Matters

While the legislature has debated changes in the initiative petition process to thwart liberal proposal, Ashcroft is demonstrating the power of his office to make the path more difficult.   Pro-choice advocates are currently suing Ashcroft over his ballot title for the pro-choice initiative petition.

Sander Rebukes GOP

Rep. Chris Sander declined an invitation to contribute a recipe to a Republican cookbook being used a fundraiser, in protest over the party’s stance on same sex marriage.

And

Sander appears to have a primary opponent in Carolyn Caton. She’s the secretary of the Jackson County Republican Party, and has an active campaign committee formed.

Rowden Profile

News Tribune has a profile of Lindsey Rowden.  She’s the president of the Jefferson City School Board – and also wife to veteran lobbyist Ryan Rowden.  Read it here.

·       Rowden said the district has a lot of momentum right now, from beginning a new STEM school, having a new high school, making renovations to existing schools and starting a new early childhood center. Then there's the pay increases for teachers, greater athletic and extracurricular participation, and increased Advanced Placement opportunities.

·       "The best part of our job (as board members) is we get rewarded by being able to give kids their diplomas at the end of the year, and it's just an awesome thing to look at," she said.

eMailbag: GOPer Growls at Realtors

Just to be clear, the MO REALTORS fighting IP reform means they are going to the mattresses to ensure George Soros can continue amending Missouri’s constitution. An existential threat to the conservative movement in Missouri - just so they have an easier path to passing stuff once every 10 or so years. Where can George Soros send his thank you card?

Lobbyists Registrations

Erin Hodges deleted Alkermes Inc.

$5K+ Contributions

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $34,675 from Alex Riley for State Representative.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,300 from Committee to Elect Jamie Burger.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from CN-MO PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Citizens for Jeff Myers.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Missouri Hospital Association.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,850 from Citizens for Sean Pouche.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,050 from Buchheit-Courtway for Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,925 from Citizens for Dean Vanschoiack.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,700 from Friends of Jeff Knight.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,362 from Missouri United.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,200 from Pollitt For House of Representatives.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,035 from Citizens for Falkner.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,200 from SOCO RED PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,175 from Committee to Elect John Black.

Liberty and Justice PAC (pro-Bailey) - $10,000 from Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Kara Corches, Ted House, Annie Rice, and Glenn Burleigh.