MOScout Daily Update: Burks Drops 3-CD Bid - Kehoe to Border - White Supremacist Fights Back and more...
Quick Friday update…
Burks Bows Out
Taylor Burks announced that he would yield to Kurt Schaefer and not seek the 3-CD seat. “I advocated for a single strong candidate from mid-Missouri, and I am committed to avoiding a divided rural electorate. Since I announced my campaign, another strong central Missouri candidate has filed in the Republican primary for this seat. With the chances of success for either of us nearly impossible while both of us are in the race, I have decided to suspend my campaign for Congress.”
What It Means
· Obviously, this is very good news for Schaefer. The scuttlebutt is that Schaefer will have the backing of Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, as well as that of the Sinquefields.
· We now have three strong candidates and what’s shaping up to be a very competitive race.
Who We’re Waiting On
Sometimes there’s a belief that it’s better to get the bottom position on the ballot once you’ve missed the top position, that voters’ eyes miss you if you’re in the middle. Filing closes at 5PM on March 26. Here’s the list of folks in major races that I was expecting to file on the first day that haven’t yet…
· Mike Hamra (Democrat) for governor – There’s talk that he has residency issues.
· Justin Hicks (Republican) for 3-CD – He has a committee and SuperPAC formed, but hasn’t filed.
· Vivek Malek (Republican) for treasurer – I’m told that the incumbent for sure will be filing.
· Caleb Rowden (Republican) for secretary of state – One politico noted that he had no presence at lats night’s Boone County Lincoln Days.
Kehoe to Visit Guard
Today Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe “will travel to Laredo, Texas, to visit the men and women of the 1251st Transportation Company and the 220th Engineer Company of the Missouri National Guard, who are currently assisting DHS with border security operations. Lt. Governor Kehoe will be joined by Major General Levon Cumpton of the Missouri National Guard.”
White Supremacist Says “They Know Me”
The white supremacist Darrell McClanahan fought back against the Republican Party on Twitter saying that “they knew exactly” who he was when he filed.
· MO GOP is now working on having him removed from the gubernatorial ballot.
Another Kehoe Endorsement
Press release: The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Heart of America chapter announced its endorsement of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe for Governor of Missouri. Representing more than 250 local contractors in the industrial and nonresidential construction sectors, ABC Heart of America is a leading advocate for free and open competition and is committed to fostering a skilled construction workforce.
Sports Betting Campaign Touts Signature Progress
Press release: In a resounding display of public support, the campaign to legalize sports betting to fund education in Missouri has achieved an important milestone, surpassing 100,000 initiative petition signatures. The campaign says the fact that they are ahead of schedule reflects Missourians desire to see sports betting legalized to bring tens of millions in new funding to Missouri classrooms each year.
· To place the issue on the November ballot, the campaign must turn in roughly 180,000 valid signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State by May 5. The campaign plans to collect roughly 300,000 gross signatures in total before that date.
New Candidate Filings
Shane Zimmer (Republican) withdrew from CD-3.
Rep. Kent Haden (Republican) filed for re-election in House 43.
Lobbyist Registrations
Stacy Lynn Burks added American Red Cross.
Maddie McMillan Green added Sheriff's Retirement System.
Jeremy LaFaver added Satoshi Action Fund.
Sarah Wood Martin added The Hertz Corporation.
Irl Scissors added National Strategies OBO Independent Payroll Providers and The Payroll Group.
Salvatore Panettiere added KC WFC StadCo, LLC; and deleted Verizon Wireless.
Chase Campbell deleted Epworth Children & Family Services, and Common Sense Leadership Fund, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Unite Here Tip Missouri State and Local Fund - $15,000 from UNITE HERE State & local Fund (New York, NY).
AGC of MO PAC - $12,070 from Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.
Back on Track America PAC - $6,250 from Paula Cook Daugherty.
Back on Track America PAC - $6,250 from Gerald and Kay Cook.
Back on Track America PAC - $6,250 from Gerald A Chip Cook Jr.
Back on Track America PAC - $6,250 from Mr and Mrs Loren Cook II.
Committee to Elect Aaron Brown for Sheriff - $25,000 from Todd Sickman.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Harry Gallagher.