MOScout Daily Update: Corley Reframes GOP Abortion Issue - Hamra Files - Ellington Challenges Washington - Norquist for Expungement and more..

Corley Files, Reframes Abortion Issue

Jamie Corley filed to run for secretary of state, and immediately set to reframing the abortion issue in the Republican primary by invoking Donald Trump.

From the Missouri Independent: Corley doesn’t believe her abortion stance will affect her chances at a fair fight, adding that she’s more closely aligned with former President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion than the other Republican candidates. The Republican nominee for president has said he supports a 15 week federal ban.  “These candidates who just insist on defending this abortion ban,” Corley said, “you’re really bucking President Trump and that’s a strategic decision they’ll have to make.”

I got a fair amount of traffic on Corley, as MOScouters seem to think her entry shakes up the race.

·       Although not well known, Jamie Corley might be a sleeper candidate.  She's got the looks and style of a TV anchor and the energy of an NFL defensive back, the kind of "fresh face" outsider conservative who could give the others a run. 

·       Corley really made it seem like the super pro lifers are the real pariahs in Trump land.… some Ninja skills there.

·       I'm pretty sure Republicans running in her race (and other races) are terrified of [being opposite Trump on the abortion issue].

Hamra Files

Springfield businessman Mike Hamra filed to run for governor, setting up a primary with Minority Leader Crystal Quade.

Hamra’s statement: “I’m running for governor because I’m optimistic about the future of Missouri. Our state is a great place to live, work, and raise a family, but dysfunctional politics in Jefferson City have held Missouri back from achieving our full potential. We need leaders who will put partisan games aside, bring people together, and get things done for our state.”

Ellington Challenges Washington

Former Rep. Brandon Ellington filed to challenge Sen. Barbara Washington in Senate 9.  Ellington served on the KC City Council after his time in the legislature, losing that seat last year.

·       Washington is the obvious favorite in this race. Ellington does not have an active campaign committee at this time.

Malek To File Today

State Treasurer Vivek Malek, shooing away any scuttlebutt that he wouldn’t be filing for re-election, declared his intent, announcing his 3Ps platform. 

As your State Treasurer, I have been aggressive about serving the people. I call this approach my Three P’s:

·       First, Protecting your taxpayer dollars.

·       Second, Providing opportunities through education and helping create good jobs.

·       Third, Promoting the Promise of America across our great state of Missouri.

And former LG Peter Kinder showed up at Malek’s press conference to support him.

Last Day to File

Eyes will be on Speaker Dean Plocher.  Does he stay put?  Does he drop entirely? Or does he pivot to Secretary of State?

·       One MOScouter notes that “if Plocher switches races, [Holly] Rehder moves to top spot on the GOP ballot. Old wisdom holds it's good to be listed first or last in a crowded race - picks up a few impatient or indifferent voters who just want to check one and go.”

Honestly, I’ll be surprised if I’m not surprised today.  Surely there will be some last minute addition, particularly considering we have a hot, open congressional seat.  We’ll see…

Grover For Clean Slate

In yesterday’s Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence, anti-tax maven Grover Norquist testified in favor of Sen. Brian Williams’ SB 763 “Clean Slate” expungement bill.  It’s a sign of how criminal justice reform has been increasingly embraced across the political spectrum.

·       Norquist testimony: Senator Williams' point, which is people who have jobs are less likely to commit crimes again.  But if you have a record and it's public, you're less likely to get that job. And you end up in a catch-22. These bills both say you can earn expungement, it's not a gift, it's not a present, you do your time, you follow all the rules, and then it's automatically expunged.

Roberts Joins CEDC

Steven Roberts Sr., pops to Sen. Steve Roberts, was appointed to the Communications Equity and Diversity Council.

·       The CEDC makes “recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on advancing equity in the provision of and access to digital communication services and products for all people of the United States, without discrimination…”

eMailbag: Ad Misconstrues 340B

·       Re your blurb about Brown’s SB 751: the federal 340b program is to help low-income patients receive discounted medications. It’s essentially a contract between drug manufacturers and providers and is not funded by taxpayers AT ALL.  You know who doesn’t make big $ off of 340b patients/drugs? Insurance and PhRMa. Here’s hoping legislators can look past the fear mongering and buzz words of some national group to support healthcare access, especially where it is needed most - rural MO.

·       They tried that bogus [attack] in West Virginia for example and it passed 96-1 in their House and 31-0 in their Senate.

New Candidate Filings

·       Mike Hamra (Democrat) filed for governor.

·       Jamie Corley (Republican) filed for secretary of state.

·       Brandon Ellington (Democrat) filed to run in Senate 9.

·       Glenda Bainbridge (Democrat) filed in House 51.  This is the Kurtis Gregory district.

·       Cheryl Hibbeler (Democrat) filed to run in House 64.  The current incumbent is Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco.

·       LaLana Island (Democrat) filed to run in House 65.  She’ll face Republican Rep. Wendy Hausman.

·       Jessica Pachak (Democrat) filed in House 78.  This is now a 3-way primary for the old Rasheen Aldridge district.

·       Ricky Cowell (Republican) withdrew from House 82, and filed instead for House 84 (Rep. Del Taylor district).

·       Dan Schaefer (Democrat) filed to run in House 97.  He’s the 2nd Dem to file in the district which is currently represented by Republican Rep. David Casteel.

·       Ryan Cooper (Republican) filed in House 116 to primary Rep. Dale Wright.

·       Bill Yarberry (Republican) and Rich Horton (Democrat) filed in House 128.  There’s now a 4-way Republican primary to succeed termed Republican Rep. Mike Stephens.

·       Julia Curran (Democrat) filed to run for House 140.  She will face Republican Rep. Jamie Ray Gragg.

·       Kay Collier (Democrat) filed to run in House 150.  She will face Republican Rep. Cameron Parker.

·       Rebecca Stipp Jensen (Democrat) filed in House 160.  This is the Ben Baker district.

Rep. David Evans withdrew from re-election (House 154).

$5K+ Contributions

H-PAC (pro-Houx) - $10,000 from Jake Lindmark (Leawood, KS).

Osage River Gaming and Convention (pro-Ozark casino IP) - $56,066 from Bally's Corp.

Liberty and Justice PAC (pro-Bailey) - $50,000 from Drury Development Corporation.

Freedom Incorporated - $125,000 from Kansas City Royals Baseball Club.

Lobbyist Registrations

Steven Carroll added Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors.

Eryka Porter added Premier Consulting Firm LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Ed Smith.