MOScout Daily Update: Campaign Cash Rundown - Lewis in Senate 7 - Plocher Ethics Draft and more…
A few developments before the monster fundraising run-down….
Lewis In for Senate 7
Rep. Patty Lewis will be running for Senate 7 where Sen. Greg Razer is headed for the State Tax Commission. Razer is backing Pat Contreras, but there’s at least a mini-rebellion to the anointing. I’m told Lewis has Rep. Emily Weber’s full support and endorsement.
One House Dem lays it out: “Restoring abortion access and reproductive rights is the #1 issue on voters’ minds in suburban and urban districts. Patty is an experienced nurse and she has proven herself to be a steadfast leader on healthcare policy in the Missouri House. It’s hard to imagine a better candidate for this state senate seat than Patty.”
What It Means
While Contreras starts with more money and some big names behind him, this could prove to be a real barn-burner as the current environment will work in Lewis’ favor. “Women are pissed that their rights have been taken away and they want to see more women in power, making decisions. A woman makes it through the primary.”
Plocher Ethics Report
After months confidential working, the House Ethics Committee released, as it rejected, a draft report of their investigation into Speaker Dean Plocher. Read the report here.
It found “no direct evidence to indicate [the double dipping] was a willful or intentional act instead of an oversight.” And “no direct evidence to indicate there was any ethical violation by Respondent in regards to the proposed Fireside contract.”
But inside the report were plenty of unpleasant details, including Plocher’s political consultant making staffing recommendation. The worst was apparent intimidation tactics to obstruct the committee’s work. This should be against the law.
· The committee’s special counsel who’s done 800-ish investigations wrote, “I have not encountered more unwilling witnesses in any investigation in my career. The level of fear expressed by a number of the potential witnesses is a daunting factor in completing this investigation.”
· Witness 6 related her belief that her employment may be in jeopardy for testifying before the committee. Representative [Dale] Wright “highly encouraged” Witness 6 not to testify. Wright somehow knew that Witness 6 was to appear before the committee–information that would be confidential–and Wright said that Witness 6 did not have to appear and that if the witness did testify, that Witness 6 could just state that “you don’t know.”
The Bottom Line
I think I speak for most folks when I say, “Can we just move on to the Patterson speakership PLEASE?”
Governor’s Race
Republicans…
Jay Ashcroft raised $158,001; spent $115,981; and has $656,006 on-hand.
· Committee for Liberty PAC: $1,908,777 COH
Bill Eigel raised $232,514; spent $208,675; and has $727,019 on-hand.
· BILL PAC: $1,001,608 COH
Mike Kehoe raised $556,538; spent $273,595; and has $1,745,279 on-hand with $75,507 in debt.
· American Dream PAC: $4,521,791COH
Democrats…
Crystal Quade raised $243,777; spent $192,738; and has $298,644 on-hand.
· Crystal PAC: $92,271 COH
Mike Hamra raised $511,974; spent $270,315; and has $912,654 on-hand, with $524,809 in debt.
· Together Missouri PAC: $171,925 COH
State of the Race: Kehoe enters the final months with a commanding money lead. Now we’ll see if he can use it effectively to close the gap with Ashcroft.
Other Statewide Races
Lieutenant Governor
Lincoln Hough raised $22,875; spent $50,766; and has $377,679 on-hand.
· Lincoln PAC: $1,215,119 COH
Holly Thompson Rehder raised $62,580; spent $26,822; and has $302,928 on-hand.
· Southern Drawl PAC: $264,595 COH
Tim Baker raised $200; spent $3,232; and has $5,645 on-hand.
Paul Berry hasn’t filed his April report yet
Dave Wasinger raised $237,428; spent $14,874; and has $222,553 on-hand, and $103,695 in debt.
Matthew Porter started after deadline.
Democrat Richard Brown raised $1,526; spent $626; and has $6,159 on-hand with $6,185 in debt.
State of the Race: Hough looks like the only one now who will have the resources to take his message statewide.
Attorney General
Andrew Bailey raised $135,162; spent $101,950; and has $564,025 on-hand with $19,553 in debt.
· Liberty and Justice PAC: $ 1,986,822 COH
Will Scharf raised $38,588; spent $61,181; and has $824,117 on-hand.
· Club for Growth Action: $2,159,176 COH
Elad Gross raised $33,486; spent $40,704; and has $52,288 on-hand, with $3,471 in debt.
State of the Race: The speed with which Scharf raised $2 million could portend a coming tsunami.
Secretary of State
Denny Hoskins raised $13,739; spent $29,891; and has $100,464 on-hand.
· Old Drum Conservative PAC: $154,502 COH
Shane Schoeller raised $24,060; spent $49,942; and has $21,102 on-hand.
· Safe Elections PAC: $12,041 COH
Adam Schwadron raised $6,500; spent $16,697; and has $82,705 on-hand with $75,000 in debt.
· Missouri Values PAC: $113,980 COH
Valentina Gomez raised $5,150; spent $2,495; and has $4,244 on-hand.
Dean Plocher raised $7,500; spent $19,943; and $528,314 on-hand.
· Missouri United PAC: $810,651 COH.
Jamie Corley hasn’t formed a committee yet.
Mary Elizabeth Coleman raised $3,104; spent $7,256; and has $23,008 on-hand.
· Conservative Solutions for Missouri PAC: $77,290 COH
Mike Carter filed a Limited Activity report.
Democrat Barbara Phifer raised $8,935; spent $7,285; and has $8,998 on-hand.
State of the Race: Plocher’s money advantage is unrivaled, but I doubt Coleman and Corley will let him go unchallenged.
Treasurer
Vivek Malek raised $133,158; spent $66,632; and has $1,299,681 on-hand with $800,317 in debt.
· American Promise PAC: $1,233,138 COH
Cody Smith raised $13,390; spent $13,609; and has $330,888 on-hand.
· Ozark Gateway Leadership PAC: $174,016 COH
Andrew Koenig raised $5,888; spent $2,537; and has $114,065 on-hand.
· Freedom’s Promise PAC: $67,065 COH
Lori Rook raised $920; spent $10,892; and has $506,978 on-hand, with $500,000 in debt.
Tina Goodrick raised $960; spent $515; and has $445 on-hand.
Karan Pujji hasn’t formed a committee yet.
Democrat Mark Osmack hasn’t formed a committee yet.
State of the Race: I don’t think Koenig will be much of a factor – especially since MRL is sitting on their hands. Rook is still a wild card, but this looks increasingly like a Cody-Vivek race.
GOP Senate Races
Senate 3
Henderson is considered the favorite here.
Mike Henderson raised $18,887; spent $16,402; and has $92,632 on-hand.
· Leadbelt PAC: $17,288 COH.
Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway raised $1,495; spent $11,562; and has $57,715 on-hand.
· Missouri Matters PAC: $34,642 COH
Senate 21
Gregory is a favorite in the building and has a substantial money lead.
Kurtis Gregory raised $12,475; spent $6,424; and has $238,762 on-hand.
· Wonderdog PAC: $161,077 COH.
Doug Richey raised $12,463; spent $4,586; and has $114,621 on-hand.
· Cultivating Freedom PAC: $25,942 COH
Senate 23
The consensus among observers here is that Christofanelli’s fundraising advantage overwhelm Schnelting.
Rich Chrismer raised $2,730; spent $2,095; and has $11,964 on-hand with $1,695 in debt.
Phil Christofanelli raised $20,414; spent $12,102; and has $255,468 on-hand, with $161 in debt.
· Gladius PAC: $198,601 COH.
Adam Schnelting raised $22,780; spent $9,772; and has $119,621 on-hand.
· Protect Our Kids PAC: $47,047 COH
Senate 27
Burger’s fundraising totals were less than expected. This is a toss-up.
Chris Dinkins raised $4,751; spent $21,873; and has $184,095 on-hand with $100,000 in debt.
· Red Hawk PAC: $35,638 COH
Jacob Turner raised $10,153; spent $1,267; and has $70,891 with $24,000 in debt.
· Faith and Family PAC: $39,167 COH
Jamie Burger raised $44,700; spent $26,229; and has $135,409 on-hand.
· Bootheel Values: $86,614 COH
Senate 29
If geography is destiny, then Haralson could be trouble for Moon. We’ll see…
Susan Haralson filed a Limited Activity report.
Mike Moon raised $2,000; spent $1,956; and has $57,009 on-hand, with $56 in debt.
Senate 31
Houx’s war-chest may prove too much for Brattin, even with his incumbency name ID.
Rick Brattin raised $10,850; spent $11,091; and has $54,254 on-hand.
· True Patriot PAC: $20,157 COH
Dan Houx raised $1,000; spent $8,660; and has $119,187 on-hand.
· H-PAC: $218,590 COH
Mike Haffner raised $3,536; spent $6,307; and has $112,215 on-hand.
· CLCP PAC: $37,343 COH
Senate 33
I’m guessing we could see Smith add some cash and make this competitive. But right now Hudson is the favorite.
Brad Hudson raised $20,950; spent $9,983; and has $106,117 on-hand with $10,000 in debt.
· Brad PAC: $3,900 COH
Travis Smith raised $5,250; spent $11,591; and has $237 on-hand with $51,241 in debt.
· Southern Missouri Conservatives PAC: $2,513 COH
Democratic Senate Primaries
Senate 9
Barbara Washington hasn’t filed yet.
· Eastside Forward PAC has not filed it report yet.
Brandon Ellington formed his committee after deadline.
Senate 13
I expect incumbent Mosley to hold here.
Angela Mosley raised $2,569; spent $4,335; and has $79,573 on-hand.
Chantelle Nickson-Clark raised $3,085; spent $5,873; and has $96 on-hand.
· Chantelle PAC filed a Limited Activity report.
Battleground Senate Races
Senate 1
Beck has this under control.
Doug Beck (D) raised $42,907; spent $10,616; and has $398,198 on-hand.
· Doug PAC: $476,488 COH
Robert Crump (R) hasn’t formed a committee yet.
Senate 11
McMullen appears to be poised to coast to a primary win here. But Sauls’ solid fundraising means Republicans can’t take this for granted.
David Martin (R) raised $1,156; spent $1,115, and has $222 on-hand.
Aaron McMullen (R) raised $3,218; spent $11,035; and has $66,931 on-hand, with $5,800 in debt.
Independence PAC: $85,101 COH
Joe Nicola (R) raised $9,332; spent $4,522; and has $42,198 on-hand with $4,025 in debt.
· Truth and Light PAC: $1,740 COH
Robert Sauls (D) raised $60,030; spent $9,884; and has $158,514 on-hand with $11,471 in debt
· Independence Leadership PAC: $185,701 COH
Senate 15
Continued lackluster numbers from the Republican candidates. Yet Democrat Pereles keeps nailing his quarters with another six-figure hit. This is one to watch as a possible Dem pick up.
Jim Bowlin (R) raised $11,506; spent $21,828; and has $121,647 on-hand with $104,300 in debt.
· Conservatives for Accountability PAC: Limited Activity.
David Gregory (R) raised $7,810; spent $24,177; and has $130,364 on-hand.
· Show Me Growth PAC: $29,251 COH
Mark Harder (R) raised $7,568; spent $4,903; and has $55,226 on-hand.
· St. Louis Conservative Leadership PAC: $7,486 COH
Joe Pereles (D) raised $119,251; spent $23,895; and has $396,388 on-hand.
· Fearless PAC: $26,583 COH
Senate 17
Nolte’s late to the game, but he shouldn’t be underestimated.
Jerry Nolte (R) raised $7,650; spent $8,623; and has $20,930 on-hand with $50,100 in debt.
Maggie Nurrenbern (D) raised $57,701; spent $9,818; and has $297,159 on-hand.
· Northland Forward PAC: $149,601 COH
Senate 19
Webber chugs along. This won’t be close.
Chuck Bayse (R) no committee formed yet.
Stephen Webber (D) raised $91,021; spent $29,438; and has $368,934 on-hand.
· Homefront PAC: $395,337 COH
Top 25 Committees, by COH
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $4,521,791
Club for Growth Action (pro-Scharf) - $2,159,177
Liberty and Justice PAC (pro-Bailey) - $1,986,823
Committee for Liberty (pro-Ashcroft) - $1,908,778
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council MO-KS PAC - $1,820,338
Citizens To Elect Mike Kehoe - $1,745,279
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom (pro-choice IP) - $1,468,501
Malek for Missouri - $1,299,681
Missouri and Kansas Laborers' PAC - $1,283,941
RightPath PAC (Wash U) - $1,275,354
Enterprise Holdings, Inc. PAC - $1,265,239
American Promise PAC (pro-Malek) - $1,233,138
Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $1,215,120
Luetkemeyer For Missouri - $1,079,914
Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government (pro-STL police takeover) - $1,030,499
Believe in Life and Liberty (pro-Eigel) - $1,001,608
IUOE Local 101 PAC - $930,132
Hamra for Missouri - $912,655
Citizens for Scharf - $824,118
Missouri United (pro-Plocher) - $810,651
Lucas For KC - $777,473
Eigel For Missouri - $727,020
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $664,274
Ashcroft For Missouri - $656,007
Majority Forward (Sen Dems) - $617,118
IE PAC List Update
· The IE PAC listing is updated with the April quarter numbers. A few new PACs were added. See the listing here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Chris Liese, Jim Foley, Andy Foley, Joe Bruns, Tony Dugger, and Craig Redmon added MB Construction.
Kathryn Harness added Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund.
Eapen Thampy added Vine Street Brewing; and deleted Studio 420.
$5K+ Contributions
The Committee to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County - $1,460,000 from Kansas City Royals Baseball Club.
The Committee to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County - $1,460,000 from Kansas City Chiefs Football Club.
Committee for Liberty (pro-Ashcroft) - $15,000 from Platform Investments, LLC.
Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $25,000 from Jeffrey Caison.
Re-Elect Mike Sager - $19,900 from Mike Sager.
Missouri First - $30,000 from QC Holdings Inc. (Lenexa, KS).
Unified Democratic Township Organization LLC - $7,000 from North County Solidarity PAC LLC.
Electrical Workers Voluntary Political Education & Legislative Funds - Missouri - $22,181 from IBEW Local One.
Sander for Missouri - $6,230 from Christopher Sander.
North County Alive PAC - $10,000 from LIUNA Local 110.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Matt Dameron, Shane Cohn, and David Richardson.