MOScout Daily Update: Another Brattin Challenger? - Delta Days - Pro-Dinkins PAC and more...

Quick Friday update…

Rumorville: Another Rep Eyes Primarying Brattin

There’s been talk of Rep. Dan Houx primarying Sen. Rick Brattin.  Now comes a rumor of a second state representative looking at the race.

Tipster: Brattin could receive another challenger soon – this time from Rep. Mike Haffner, also from Cass County. 

The case for Haffner…

·       He’s been involved in a number of key policy fights in the House, and serves as Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ag, which would serve him well in rural-dominated SD 31.

·       While Cass is the population center of SD 31 (110,000 pop. vs Johnson County's 54,000 and Bates 16,000), one could also make the case that Haffner’s previous career as a decorated combat pilot and Commanding Officer would also appeal to the nearly 8,000 personnel (and the surrounding community) of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB in Johnson.

Delta Days

Most major pols spotted Tuesday and Wednesday at Fisher Delta Field Days – the annual pilgrimage to Portageville, MO, to celebrate the world-renowned agriculture of the bootheel and the U. of Missouri's extension and ag research.

Speaker line-up included MU Chancellor Mun Choi, former Farm Bureau President Charlie Kruse, US Senator Josh Hawley, Congressman Jason Smith, Governor Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, State Treasurer Vivek Malek, and king of the bootheel Sen. Jason Bean.

Also in attendance were Sens. Karla Eslinger and Denny Hoskins, Speaker Dean Plocher, Budget Chair Cody Smith, Rep. Kurtis Gregory, and many others.

One Dem spotted: Rep. Barbara Phifer.

·       Who wasn’t spotted… Sens. Bill Eigel, Caleb Rowden, Holly Rehder, and Andrew Koenig, and AG candidate Will Scharf.

Pro Dinkins PAC Formed

Red Hawk PAC was formed.  It’s allied with Rep. Chris Dinkins.   See the paperwork here.

·       PACs like this aren’t subject to campaign contribution limits.  And although candidate can raise money for them, they can’t direct their expenditures. 

·       Politicians often form them when they’re considering higher office – which Dinkins is.  She’s running for Sen. Holly Rehder’s senate seat.

No RICO in Torch Case

Missouri Independent reports on a RICO lawsuit against a “gray” game provider being dismissed.  Read it here.

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit that sought to shut down Torch Electronics, owner of thousands of video games offering cash prizes in retail locations throughout Missouri.  U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes, in a decision issued last week, decided that the seven plaintiffs lacked standing under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Why It Matters

As the legislature navigates trying to find a VLT/sports betting compromise, some thought that pressure from lawsuits and law enforcement might bring Torch to the negotiating table.  This is a set-back for that outcome.

eMailbag on Abortion IPs

 “Conforms to Roe framework”? Roe allowed states to regulate abortion up until the point of viability AKA when a fetus could survive outside the uterus— we’ve long known

many don’t understand the basics of reproductive biology… but come on! Another point underlining the need for comprehensive sex education in our state…

$5K+ Contributions

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $50,000 from GoPAC Election Fund (Arlington,  VA).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $18,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Burns & McDonnell.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Drury Development Corporation.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,500 from H PAC.

Missouri Alliance PAC (pro-Patterson) - $10,000 from MOSFA PAC INC.

Club for Growth Action - Missouri Federal Committee - $20,000 from Menlo Smith.

UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $6,000 from Midwest State Cap Exchange.

Lobbyists Registrations

Nexus Group added Good Day Farms.

Olivia Wilson added Husch Blackwell LLP, NOMI Health, Missouri Motion Media Association, and Missouri Hospital Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rachael Klarich, and Brian McCallister.

Saturday: Rep. Phil Christofanelli.

Sunday: Adam Crumbliss, and Warren Wood.

Monday: Emily van Schenkhof, and Jane Cunningham.

MOScout Schedule

I’m off for the Labor Day weekend. See y’all on Tuesday.