MOScout Daily Update: Basye Out - Razer Resigns - IP Reform Back to Senate - MRL Thanks Smith, Coleman - SCOTUS Boosts Scharf? and more…

Apr 26

Quick Friday update…

Basye Withdraws

Former Rep. Chuck Basye announced that he’s been diagnosed with cancer and is withdrawing from the Senate 19 race.

A few weeks ago, I first got the news from my doctor that what he saw in my scans wasn’t what we were hoping for. The tests came back positive for cancer, and those results really shook me and my family to our core. Just this past week, we discovered a different cancer. Additional tests will be needed to determine the critical next steps to secure a victory against my newest, most challenging opponent yet.

Realizing that the battle I have ahead of me is not only the fight of my life, but for my life, I must dedicate myself entirely to this fight to beat cancer. As a Marine, it pains me to ever surrender or quit, but I know the fight ahead of me will likely take everything I have to survive. So today, I will be withdrawing from the race for Boone County State Senate.

Basye’s crude behavior on the campaign trail was an embarrassment for Republicans, who will now get to choose a replacement candidate to face Stephen Webber.

· One rumor is that the GOP will put forth a “young attorney who interested in getting his name out there.” We’ll see….

House Passes SJR74

The House passed SJR 74, the initiative petition reform resolution, sending it back to the Senate with the ballot candy that Senate negotiations had stripped out.

It was interesting to see Floor Leader Jon Patterson joining the Dems in opposition. It shows both that he isn’t afraid to think for himself (and his district), but also that he views his leadership position as serving the will of the majority, not his own private agenda.

· This issue could very likely become a big fracas on the Senate side in these final weeks…

Razer Resigns

Greg Razer was confirmed to the State Tax Commission (he’s taking the place of Victor Callahan), and subsequently resigned from the Senate.

· One observer noted that he did not officially withdraw from re-election though. They speculated that he was waiting to do so until next week as an accommodation to his preferred candidate Pat Contreras.

MRL Thanks Coleman and Smith

The House sent HB 2634, the Defund Planned Parenthood bill, to the governor. Missouri Right to Life cheered the move, and gave shout out thanks to Rep. Cody Smith and Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman.

Pro-life Missourians are grateful to House Sponsor, Representative Cody Smith and Senate Handler, Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman and the Missouri legislators who voted for protecting our firmly held beliefs in the sanctity of human life and prohibiting our tax-dollars from subsidizing the destruction of innocent unborn babies.

· But will either get MRL’s coveted imprimatur before the primary election in three months?

Parson-Bailey Presser

Press advisory: On Thursday, April 25 at 2 p.m., Governor Mike Parson will join Attorney General Andrew Bailey in Springfield for a press conference regarding efforts to combat human trafficking in Missouri.

But…

One MOScouter, following yesterday’s SCOTUS arguments, thinks Will Scharf is well positioned currying Trump’s favor… Is this the day Will Scharf won the primary? A Trump endorsement > A Parson endorsement…