MOScout Daily Update: Viral Valentina? - Corley Drops IP Effort - Royals Add $500K to Tax Renewal - Pierson Fined and more…

Quick Friday update….

Viral Valentina?

Valentina Gomez is the Republican running for secretary of state that you’ve probably not heard of.  She’s running against Sens. Denny Hoskins and Caleb Rowden, Rep. Adam Schwadron, and Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller.

But she’s been trying to change that with her social media presence going full-on Trumpy.  Her latest effort seems to have succeeded in breaking through. 

A February 6 twitter video of burning LGBT books has 2.7 million views as this morning. And it’s picking up so collateral press hits.

 ·       Gomez only had $1,500 cash on-hand in her January filing. 

Superbowl Talk

Hope I’m not jinxing anything here, but for those counting on a Chief’s win Sunday, and eyeing the calendar… the most likely day for a parade (and an informal holiday from legislative session as a result) would be Wednesday of next week.

Royal Toss $500K Into Sales Tax Campaign

The Kansas City Royals tosses a cool $500,000 into “The Committee to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County.”

Yahoo Sports explains: Jackson County residents will vote April 2 on continuing the 3/8th-cent sales tax that goes to both the Royals and Chiefs for another 40 years. The Royals want to use that revenue to build a new ballpark somewhere in downtown Kansas City.

Axiom Still With Speaker

Sources with knowledge of Axiom’s operations say that the reports of Speaker Mike Johnson splitting with the company are overblown.  Yes, he’s using another fundraising firm, but, they say, he still uses seven other companies in the Axiom family.

Corley Pulls Plug on “Moderate” IP

Missouri Independent reports that “Jamie Corley, a longtime GOP Congressional staffer, is withdrawing an initiative petition she helped craft that would have added rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s abortion ban and legalize the procedure up to 12 weeks.”

·       “We don’t want to be a spoiler.”

Pierson Ethics Violation

Post Dispatch reports on the Missouri Ethics Commission fining former Rep. Tommie Pierson Sr.  See the order here.

The commission found probable cause that Tommie Pierson Sr., mayor and administrator from April 2019 to April 2023, had a recognizable conflict of interest when he voted in 2020 against advertising an opening for the job, thereby making his paid work for the city improper, according to a Feb. 7 consent order.

Previewing the Weekend…

Look for a CD-1 poll on Saturday, and a Superbowl themed Sunday6.

Help Wanted

Missouri Association of Counties seeks Administrative Support Assistant. MAC is looking to employ someone who is forward thinking with attention to detail and the ability to connect in person and online. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to multitask and evolve in an ever-changing work environment. To ensure success, candidates should be innovative, organized, and self-motivated… Submit CV/resume to info@mocounties.com by close of business on March 8, 2024.

New PACs

·       Capaha PAC was formed to support Rep. John Voss.

·       Missouri Hometown Values PAC was formed to support Rep. Brad Banderman.

$5K+ Contributions

MO Renewable Fuels Association Political Action Committee - $10,000 from Missouri Corn Growers Association Inc.

The Cigna Group Employee Missouri PAC - Federal Committee - $50,000 from The Cigna Group Employee Political Action Committee (Washington, DC).

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom (pro-reproductive rights IP) - $5,095 from American Civil Liberties Union, Inc. (New York, NY).

The Committee to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County - $500,000 from Kansas City Royals Baseball Club, LLC.

Local 41 Political Action Fund - $17,221 from Missouri PAC Federal Committee.

Missouri Stands With Women, Inc. (pro-life PAC) - $5,001 from Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City.

Missouri Stands With Women, Inc. - $5,001 from Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph.

Missouri Stands With Women, Inc. - $5,001 from Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Lobbyist Registrations

Scott Dieckhaus added Common Sense Action for America.

Bev Ehlen added Liberty Link Missouri. 

Mike Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Vapor Technology Association.       

David Klarich added Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, and Plumbing Industry Council.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Jered Taylor, Larry Davis, and Ryann Summerford.