MOScout Daily Update: Dem Minority Leader Race - Big $$$ to Pro-Choice IP - Meet Bo Loudon - County Gov PAC and more…

House Dem Summer Caucus

House Democrats will meet in Columbia today to begin their summer caucus.   One item sure to occupy some of the informal talk will be who will replace Crystal Quade as minority leader.

Rep. Ashley Aune is the only declared candidate for the job, but other names have floated in the past, including Reps. Jamie Johnson and David Tyson Smith.

A critical force in this leadership election will be the Black Caucus.  Of the 40 seats I have down as “Safe Dem” (see below), a slight majority (21) will be represented by Black Democrats.  While most of the Democratic candidates in the “Battleground” districts are white, it would appear that the Black Caucus – if they voted as a bloc – would likely determine the next Minority Leader.

Perhaps at summer caucus there will be some indications whether Aune has gain their support, or if the Black Caucus will back a different candidate for that position.

Updated 2024 Watch

I added to the 2024 Watch spreadsheet, creating new pages that list safe Republican House seats and safe Democratic seats.  Find that here.

The spreadsheets show 97 safe Republican seats, 40 safe Democratic seats, and 26 “battleground” districts.

·       In the coming weeks, I will categorize the battleground districts into lean GOP, lean Dem, and toss-up races.

Jackson Back In Action

People have noticed that Gamble and Schlemeier’s David Jackson hasn’t been around the last couple months. He’s been away on medical leave and is expected to be back in action after Labor Day as lobbyists begin laying the foundation for next session.

Big $$$ for Pro-Choice IP

$2.7 million has been contributed to the pro-choice initiative petition’s campaign committee in the past week.

The largest was $2.1 million from The Fairness Project.  See their website here.  They are a dark-money 501c4 which funds ballot initiatives across the nation.  They have also contributed to the IP to raise the minimum wage this year.  They contributed in previous years to the Medicaid expansion IP, as well as the last minimum raise IP.

·       Two other substantial contributions have been recorded as well: $500,000 from the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, and $150,000 from Michelle Trulaske.

What It Means

With this ample backing the likelihood of passage appears strong.

Next Generation Loudon

Daily Beast reports that “right-wing influencer Bo Loudon has Donald Trump’s ear… Loudon, 17, is the son of conservative commentator Gina Loudon and an ex-Missouri state senator John William Loudon. He and his family reside in South Florida and are frequent fixtures at Mar-a-Lago.”

·       See Bo Loudon’s website here.

Veto Session Calendar Collision?

Veto session is about two weeks away.  The chambers will gavel in on Wednesday September 11, but usually the night before features dozens of fundraisers as candidates seek to corral checks from the city’s sudden repopulation of pols.

September 10 is the scheduled debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.  I imagine more than a few politicos will hunker down in front of a TV instead of bouncing from place to place on High Street.

County Government PAC

County Government PAC was formed.  See the filing here.  The PAC It appears to be related to the Missouri Association of Counties, as most of the folks listed as “directors” as involved in that organization.

See the Missouri Association of Counties website here.  Their legislative agenda is largely to reduce unfunded or underfunded mandates from the state, fight state intervention which preempts local authority, and protect counties’ tax base.

·       Their registered lobbyists are: Steven Hobbs (MAC’s executive director), Trent Watson, and Jack Gamble.

Murphy Passes

According to a Facebook post, Vivian Dalton Murphy, the former Director of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, passed away.

Unfortunately, our beloved Vivian passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 4,2024. After 10 years, she lost her battle with heart failure. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Lobbyists Registrations

Aly Gatwood added Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline Inc, Orscheln Management Co., KC2026, Tractor Supply Company, Schaefer Law & Policy LLC,  and Tremco CPG Inc.

David Klarich added Bristol Myers Squibb.

Jay Hahn added Plift.

Jason Zamkus deleted Silver Dollar City, Inc.

$5K+ Contributions

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom (pro-choice IP) - $2,125,000 from The Fairness Project (Washington, DC).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Chris Limbaugh, Stephanie Bell, Robert Butler, Anne Zerr, and Ray Salva.