MOScout Daily Update: Hough Up on TV - Fitz To Audit School Performance - House Primaries and more…
Hough First on TV
Sen. Lincoln Hough’s TV ad is up of this morning. He’s the first lieutenant governor candidate to be on the air.
Lincoln Hough, conservative ranger, father, and tax-cutter, running to be Missouri’s lieutenant governor…
And
Team Hough’s dig at the news that David Wasinger added $1.5 to his campaign account: “Lincoln PAC will have the resources to take our message to voters needed to win, and we won’t be scared to spend it all to win.”
1 Big Thing: Fitz’s Expanded Portfolio
Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is reshaping the office of auditor. I noted during session that Fitz convinced the legislature to pass HB 2111, giving the auditor additional powers.
But the latest announcement from his office shows that Auditor Fitz has his eyes on being an impact player across Missouri…
Fitz announced last week that his office had “launched an audit of the Independence School District that will look not only at the district's finances but also at its overall performance as it relates to providing a quality education to students.”
“The audit is part of Fitzpatrick's plan to more regularly review the performance of schools throughout Missouri. When he first took office in January of 2023, he said that while schools are required by law to have financial audits every year, they rarely have audits that evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of district operations.”
· Fitz’ focus on working his current office stands out during this election season when it seems every other officeholder has their attention divided by their campaign.
And
From May 9 MOScout: He may be auditor for a long time. He’s 36. The auditor isn’t term limited in Missouri. And assuming there isn’t a Democratic upset in the gubernatorial race this year, he’s landlocked for a while.
House Primaries
House 86 – Rep. Joe Adams is term limited. Three Democrats are vying to replace him. Adams is backing Trina Nelson, an interior designer and project manager. See her website here. She’s backed by several other state reps as well. But her stiffest competition will come from Jeff Hales, as realtor and University City Councilmember. See his website here. He’s far outraised Nelson ($33,697 COH to $1,530 COH), and he’s backed by Sen. Tracy McCreery. The third candidate, Donovan Meeks (see his Facebook page here) has yet to form a committee.
House 87 – This is Paula Brown’s district. She’s not running for re-election. It looks like a pretty solid Democratic district to me. But it’s drawn two Republicans into a primary. John Rommel is an attorney. See his website here. He faces Daniel Hyatt (see his Facebook here). He’s been involved in local issues before. Neither has shown any fundraising. Rommel started his committee earlier this month. And Hyatt didn’t have a committee that I could find. I expect the Democrat, Connie Steinmetz, will win in November.
House 99 – Rep. Ian Mackey (see his bio here) is seeking his 4th term. He faces a rematch from Boris Abadzhyan (see his website here). This won’t be close. Mackey beat Abadzhyan 82% to 18% in 2022. Abadzhyan previously lost to LaDonna Appelbaum in 2018 and 2020. Mackey has more cash: $66,229 COH versus $1,069 COH
House 100 – Rep. Philip Oehlerking (see his bio here) faces two challengers as he runs for re-election. But he looks safe. Brant Harber (see his website here) is a rematch. Oehlerking beat him 70%-30% in 2022. Harber actually ran against Shamed Dogan in 2020 (losing 65% to 35%). The other challenger, Jason Jennings (see his website here), owns Narrow Path Management, a sports agency. Oehlerking is outraising both. He has $15,923 cash on-hand to Jennings $703, and Harber’s Limited Activity.
eMailbag on 340B Bill
The legislation was vetted for 3 years, and a more comprehensive measure passed the House overwhelmingly 3 years in a row. Both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly approved the measure this year. It’s insulting to legislators to suggest they didn’t know what they were voting on. Legislators knew exactly what they were voting on, they were voting to ensure their constituents have affordable access to medications closer to home.
eMailbag on Quality Schools Coalition
QSC is not "school choicers". Its primary platform plank is to increase traditional public school funding and it has no position on ESAs. QSC supports public charter schools and open enrollment among public schools. It is a public school focused organization.
New PACs
PAC to the Future PAC was formed. It’s in support of Rep. Eric Woods. See the filing here.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC - $17,731 from DDI Media (Drury Displays Inc.).
American Dream PAC - $5,650 from Robert Wollenman.
Missouri Alliance PAC (pro-Patterson) - $10,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.
Lobbyists Registrations
Erin Elizabeth Gabert added American Heart Association.
David Sweeney added T-Mobile USA Inc., and Autura.
Garrett Webb added BJG Meat Co. LLC; and deleted Tier One Tactical Solutions LLC, and Kill the Fill PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Stacy Reliford, and Galen Higdon.