MOScout Weekender: Kehoe Transition Team - 2026 Watch - Choinka to Senate - Hallway on Session Landmines - WWTW and more…

Kehoe Transition Team

Press release: Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe and Transition Director Adam Gresham announced the appointment of the governor-elect’s transition staff… Governor-Elect Kehoe’s transition team consists of the following individuals:

·       Adam Gresham – Transition Director

·       Lowell Pearson – General Counsel

·       Bill Anderson – Policy

·       Casey Adrian – Operations

·       Gabby Picard – Communications

·       Jamie Birch – Policy

·       Drew Dampf – Legislation

·       Amanda Holtmeyer – Administration

What It Means

This is big news.  While nothing is for certain, I’d expect that we’ll see these folks taking serious roles in the coming Kehoe administration.  For example, I’d guess we’ll probably see Picard as the governor’s office director of communications, Birch staying on as director of policy, and Dampf landing at legislative director.  As always, we’ll see.

Start Your 2026 Engines…

I expect we’ll start seeing announcements for 2026 state senate races.  I’ve decided not to wait for announcements!  I’ve started the “2026 Watch” on the MOScout website.  Find it here. 

I’ve tossed out names I’ve heard for various races.  Please send me any would-be candidates I’m missing!

Choinka to Senate Staff

Erica Choinka will be joining the Senate Majority staff as communications director.  Choinka previously worked in the speaker’s office and for the Missouri Republican Party. 

Her husband, Matt Choinka , is chief of staff to Sen. Rusty Black.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Next Session Landmines

I asked lobbyists, “What issue is most likely to blow up session next year?”  22 replies…

RESULTS

1. Abortion… 54.5%

2. Initiative Petition Reform… 4.5%

3. Stadium funding… 22.7%

4. Something else… 18.2%

Sample of Comments

·       I don’t know how you get rural Republicans to support stadium funding.

·       If Kehoe comes out swinging on state takeover of St. Louis police, or elimination of the state income tax, those two issues will dominate session to a standstill.

·       All likely, but emotional blow up most likely with abortion

·       Not even a condom over the capitol dome will protect the Senate next year.

·       [Abortion] Because the Republicans can’t help themselves.

·       Republicans more likely to fall in line regarding abortion. Stadium funding will be divisive.

·       All of them!!!!

·       IP via Abortion or Abortion via IP.

·       [Abortion] It is always going to be the number 1 issue.

Who Won the Week?

Andrew Bailey – Bailey’s stock soars among Republicans as CNN reports that he’s in the mix as a possible Trump AG. 

Christian Morgan – Helped lead the Proposition 2 campaign. It lost big among early voters, but won big among voters who went to the polls on Election Day, meaning it was a come-from-behind victory. Morgan fought hard to the end and never gave up, an underrated quality in campaigners.

Republican campaign workers and consultants – Between a new administration in Washington, and the new statewide elected office-holders, there’s be plenty of jobs for aspiring Republican public servants.  MODems, no so much these days…

Lobbyists – Although the partisan composition of the chambers didn’t change on Tuesday, their make-ups are being overhauled by that most corrosive force: term limits.  About 30% of the legislators will be new next session.  That makes lobbyists more important than ever.

Ron Richard – Speaker Dean Plocher is giving Richard the posthumous honor of being inducted into the Missouri Hall of Fame.  I’ll follow that example, by giving Richard a posthumous Who Won the Week.

Find a downloadable version here.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson announced judicial appointments to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, and the 21st Judicial Circuit.

·       The Honorable Virginia W. Lay, of Clayton, will be appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

·       The Honorable Amanda B. McNelley, of Kirkwood, was appointed as Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit.

$5K+ Contributions

MoCannTrade PAC - $10,000 from GL Partners Inc. (Overland Park, KS).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,100 from Dane Diehl.

Vote No on 3 - $95,286 from DDI Media.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Kathy Swan.

Sunday: Chris Schappe.