MOScout Daily Update: The Next Gov Whisperer? - Conservative Justice Scorecard - Grey Machines Gone Wild - Osete Fundy and more…

The New Gov Whisperer?

During the past six years of Mike Parson’s tenure as governor, Steven Tilley has been seen as the most reliable conduit to get your case heard on the second floor.  Tilley and Parson grew close serving in the House together.  Parson’s biography mentions that he had worked to put Tilley position to be governor someday.  But through the twists of life – Tilley abandoned his LG bid, Parson began his own statewide career – their trajectories reversed.

Now, assuming that Republicans continue their statewide dominance and Mike Kehoe defeats Crystal Quade, Andy Blunt is likely to ascend to that role. 

·       The Blunts have been close to the Kehoe family for many years. 

·       Matt Blunt appointed Kehoe to the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission in 2005.

·       Andy quarterbacked Team Kehoe’s improbable gubernatorial quest to take on the seemingly invincible Jay Ashcroft.

·       According to Missouri Ethics reports Andy’s firm, Husch Blackwell Strategies, was paid over $1.3 million by Kehoe’s PAC for digital media as well as Professional Advisory Retainer.

Conservative Justice PAC Goes 7-5

Conservative Justice PAC was funded in June by two trial attorney firms, Ketchmark & McCreight, and Holland Law Firm LLC.  Each anted $250,000.  They gave aggressively in the final stretch of the primary to lawyer-lawmakers and allies. Here’s how their large contributions played out…

·       $40,000 – Aaron McMullen’s Independence PAC – Lost.

·       $40,000 – Cody Smith’s Conservative Leadership of the Ozarks – Lost.

·       $40,000 – Phil Christofanelli’s Gladius PAC – Lost.

·       $40,000 – Kurtis Gregory’s The Wonderdog PAC – Won.

·       $40,000 – David Gregory’s Show Me Growth PAC – Won.

·       $20,000 – Ric Brattin’s True Patriot PAC – Won.

·       $40,000 – Mike Henderson’s The Leadbelt PAC – Won.

·       $40,000 – Stephen Webber’s HOMEFRONT PAC – Unopposed.

·       $30,000 – Barbara Washington’s Eastside Forward PAC – Won.

·       $30,000 – Lincoln Hough’s Lincoln PAC – Lost.    

·       $20,000 – Jamie Burger’s Bootheel Values PAC – Won.

·       $20,000 – Cindy O’Laughlin’s NEMO Leadership PAC – Not up for election.

·       $20,000 – Travis Smith’s Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri – Lost.

·       $10,000 – Mike Kehoe’s American Promise PAC – Won.

Grey Machine Lounges

It’s been five months since the eMissourian wrote this article about “lounges” or mini-casinos popping up utilizing “grey machines.”  City officials articulated a desire to regulate the establishments, but determined they were hamstrung by current law.

Here’s a flyer one reader found on his windshield yesterday indicating the lounges are still ringing in the business….

Follow-Up on Higher Ed Shakeout Coming?

Yesterday I wrote about higher education facing financial pressure. The Independent Colleges (Columbia College, Culver-Stockton, Maryville, Missouri Baptist, Missouri Valley, Southwest Baptist, and William Woods) that I listed are represented through an association, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri.  Gamble & Schlemeier represents them in the capitol.

And one Higher Ed advocate adds: A thriving non-profit, independent college sector is vital to achieving the State’s goals for workforce development. While challenges amplified by the FASFA delays this year have shown to impact these schools, their ability to be nimble and forward thinking will allow them to fight through these times. 

·       It is also of note that all of the schools on the list, except for Harris-Stowe, are private institutions, so they do not receive state funding. Their students are, however, able to participate in scholarship programs like Access Missouri, Bright Flight, and Fast Track, which we greatly appreciate the legislature fully funding.

Thursday Hot Events

This Thursday (7:30AM) Governor Mike Parson will host his final “Governor's Ham Breakfast” at Missouri State Fair.  The event is always full of pols, and Parson will surely enjoy this leg of his ongoing goodbye tour.

According to his official schedule, afterwards he’ll be at the groundbreaking for the State Fair Arena (10AM), hold a press conference at the Farm Bureau Building (11AM), and then sign copies of his biography No Turnin' Back (Noon).

Later that evening Republican Jesus Osete holds what looks like a monster fundraiser for his Circuit Judge (Circuit 13 Division 3) race.  He faces Democrat Stephanie Morrell.

County Clerk Resigns

Gasconade County Republican reports that “in a resignation letter to the Osage County Commissioners, former County Clerk Nicci Kammerich wrote ‘Due to the many threats, harassment, and bullying my staff and I have received since April 2023 to date in regards to elections, I no longer feel the need or want to serve in this position as it has been affecting my mental and physical health.’”

·       With increased claims of “stolen elections,” some see the county clerk positions as becoming much more contentious positions of public service in the future.

Lobbyists Registrations

Rowland Frederick Howard added Towering Oaks Preeminent Capitol Consulting LLC, Future Leaders Outreach Network, Strategic Engagement Consulting, and Mid-Missouri Sports Park.

Alex Eaton, Rebecca Lohmann, and David Willis added KNOWiNK; and deleted Justice Action Network, and Him & Hers.    

Rebecca Lohmann and David Willis deleted Northeast Missouri Health Council, and Clark Community Mental Health Center.

Heather Elizabeth Coil deleted Crown Castle.

$5K+ Contributions

MO Republican Party - $27,400 from David Steward.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $50,000 from Invenergy Transmission LLC (Chicago, IL).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from Old McDonald PAC (pro-Deaton)

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from Ann Wagner for Congress.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from HTH Companies, Inc.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from MO Republican Attorneys for Civil Justice PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $12,500 from Citizens for Jeff Myers.

Nexus PAC - $6,000 from Invenergy Transmission LLC (Chicago, IL).

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Aaron Baker, and Ed Wildberger.