MOScout Daily Update: Veto Fundraising Schedule - GOPers Support Contraception Rights - AFL-CIO Endorsements - SCOMO Talk and more...
Veto Session Fundraisers
I have attempted to compile a comprehensive list of all fundraisers scheduled for next week’s veto session. Find it here. I will do an update next week in case I missed anyone or there are any late changes.
It should be in a nice format you can print and/or share.
1 Big Thing: GOPers Back Contraception Rights
With the recent restrictions on abortion access in Missouri, there is thought among political insiders that conservative lawmakers would turn their targets towards contraceptive access. However, one MOScouter sent me polling of Republican voters that would indicate that Missouri GOP voters aren’t supportive of any new restrictions around contraception.
· 74% say all people should have access to contraception.
This poll is from early August, 800 likely Republican voters…
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
All people in the United States should be able to both afford and have access to contraception. They should also be able to obtain information on what method of contraception would be best for them.
Strongly agree: 43%
Somewhat agree: 31%
Somewhat disagree: 9%
Strongly disagree: 11%
Not sure: 6%
As you know, contraception, or birth control, is used to prevent pregnancy. Do you think lawmakers should pass laws and enact policies that: Make it easier to access birth control, make it harder to access birth control or keep access the same as it is now?
Make it easier to access birth control: 42%
Make it harder to access birth control: 9%
Keep access the same as it is now: 41%
Not sure: 8%
Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for state office who made it harder to obtain birth control, or would it make no difference to your vote?
Much more likely: 5%
Somewhat more likely: 5%
Somewhat less likely: 15%
Much less likely: 22%
No difference: 52%
FYI
The MOScout/Remington poll this weekend will have a few questions around this topic as well…
MRL Annual Banquet
Last night Missouri Right to Life held their annual banquet at the St. Charles Convention Center. They bestowed the Champion of Life Award to Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke “being tirelessly dedicated their lives to protect and defend the sanctity of life.”
One reader noted that more than 1,800 individuals attended (including Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and State Treasurer Vivek Malek), and “they raised more than $600,000. The politicians in the state capitol who say Missouri Right to Life is irrelevant are clearly out of touch.”
AFL-CIO Endorsements
The AFL-CIO, organized labor’s hugest coalition, made some endorsements yesterday. Most notably they endorsed Minority Leader Crystal Quade for governor.
Also getting the nod were Dems running in potential swing districts…
· Sen. Doug Beck – running for re-election in Senate 1.
· Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern – running in Senate 17.
· Former Rep. Stephen Webber – running in Senate 19.
· Rep. Betsy Fogle – running for re-election in House 135.
I’m told other endorsements will follow, but they started with folks in competitive districts who have had members in a union.
Why It Matters
· As the Republican Party veers toward populism, there are more and more working class Republicans who find their interest represented by organized labor.
· But the main benefit of these endorsements now is that they help cement the candidates as the preferred Democrats in the race, potentially helping freeze out competitors.
· In Quade’s case, she faces talk of businessman Mike Hamra entering.
SCOMO Talk
An insider says that Governor Mike Parson interviewed all three Supreme Court panelists together in one meeting his office yesterday. “This seems to break from the protocol over the last 40+ years of governors interviewing supreme court panelists separately. This surely must have been awkward for the judges…”
Bailey’s Big Quarter End
It’s common for candidates to schedule major fundraisers at the quarterly reporting deadline. It gives the contributors a sense of urgency to write those checks.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey has a big one schedule for later this month (September 30 is the end of the quarter) at the home of Carla and Gary Grewe. See the invite here.
GOP heavies on the host committee: Anne & Doug Albrecht, Bob & Kim Brinkmann, August A. Busch III, Cindy & Tim Drury, Hon. Steve Ehlmann, Chris Graville, Susan & Thor Hearne, John Londoff, Jr., Kathy & John Maupin, Carolyn & Mike Rayner, Matt Reh, Jeanne & Rex Sinquefield, Michael Staenberg, and Anna & Jeff Tegethoff
Kunce Polling
Team Kunce released polling that showed they’re tied with US Senator Josh Hawley. See the memo here.
Lucas Kunce: 43%
Hawley: 44%
Not decided: 12%
Important to note… this is the “informed trial heat.” In other words, it’s after the pollster has told the respondent something about each candidate. The memo doesn’t tell us how they described the candidates. It could be: Kunce is a war hero; Hawley led the insurrection; who would you vote for.
· The informed trial heat could represent a best-case messaging for Kunce.
eMailbag on Hruza
Sounds like consultants are going to extraordinary lengths to try to prevent a competitive primary for...*drumroll*....the HD 89 State Rep race. Sounds eerily similar to last year when we heard John Brunner III was a lock for the HD 101 and the lobbying corps united behind him while Ben Keathley easily rolled to the nomination.
New Committees
Violet For Missouri was formed. It’s a candidate committee for Terri Violet. She’s tuning for House 104 as a Republican where Rep. Phil Christofanelli is term limited. Violet is a veteran and St. Peters alderwoman.
Lobbyists Registrations
Merit Iles added Bamboo Health, Inc.
Jessica Crews deleted Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
PT-PAC of Missouri - $7,500 from Central Missouri Physical Therapy.
PT-PAC of Missouri - $7,500 from Axes Physical Therapy.
21st Century St. Louis PAC - $10,000 from John Tracy.
Northland Strong PAC - $30,000 from Clarkson Construction Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Megan Price, and Ryan Hawkins.