MOScout Weekender: State Takeover PAC Gets $1M - Poll on Kehoe Fav, SCOMO, MODoT, and Schools - Hallway on Kehoe Pitfalls - WWTW and more…
1 Big Thing: $1M To State Control PAC
Missouri Law Enforcement For Good Government received a $1 million contribution from Mike Rayner. Rayner is part of the Cargill family. The PAC is focused on supporting candidates who can advance their agenda of a state takeover of the St. Louis police force. Rayner gave $300,000 to the PAC in 2023, and $1 million in 2024.
The PAC has strategically given to political campaign PACs, including $450,000 to PACs associated with Governor-elect Mike Kehoe, as well as substantial contributions to Andrew Bailey’s PAC, and HRCC, among others. State takeover is a top priority of Kehoe’s agenda.
· This latest infusion of cash is another indication that the forces allied to push for a state takeover as well-positioned for the upcoming battle this session.
Remington/MOScout Poll: Fav/UnFavs
Survey conducted January 8 through January 9, 2025. 622 likely General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match turnout demographics. Margin of Error is +/-4% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding. Survey conducted by Remington Research Group on behalf of Missouri Scout. Find the full report here.
Q1: Is the state of Missouri heading in the right direction or is it going off on the wrong track?
Right direction: 40%
Wrong track: 43%
Not sure: 17%
Q2: What is your opinion of Mike Kehoe?
Favorable: 42%
Unfavorable: 31%
No opinion: 27%
Q3: What is your opinion of the Missouri Department of Transportation?
Favorable: 47%
Unfavorable: 24%
No opinion: 29%
Q4: What is your opinion of the Missouri Supreme Court?
Favorable: 29%
Unfavorable: 32%
No opinion: 39%
Q5: What is your opinion of your local school district?
Favorable: 47%
Unfavorable: 33%
No opinion: 20%
What It Means
· This poll establishes a Kehoe +11 favorability as he enters the governor’s mansion. We’ll see where it goes…
· With some in the legislature aiming their fire at MODoT, judicial appointments, and school choice, these fav/unfavs give some idea where Missourians’ current sentiment on those institutions.
MOScout’s Hallway Index: Kehoe Agenda Pitfalls
I asked lobbyists, “What is most likely to derail Kehoe's legislative agenda?” 19 replies…
RESULTS
1. Democrats… 10.5%
2. Freedom Caucus… 21%
3. Budget shortfalls… 21%
4. Amendment 3 blow-up… 47.4%
Sample of Comments
· And any potential player to be named later that isn’t an issue yet.
· Something swampy that gives the freedoms caucus an opening.
Who Won the Week?
Cindy O’Laughlin – The first woman to hold the Senate Pro Tem position, O’Laughlin’s opening day speech was one of the best I’ve heard from that dais. Instead of the usual laundry list of legislative items, it presented a vision for the role of government and the society she wants to foster in Missouri.
Children’s advocates – Aligned noted in their capitol update that O’Laughlin’s speech mentioned children 20 times; and JP signals that the first bill out of the House this session will be one to deal with foster children.
Police Takeover Advocates – It’s one of Mike Kehoe’s top priorities, legislative leaders are all onboard, and the PAC to push the effort adds another $1M to their war-chest.
Michael O’Donnell – When one door closes, another one opens. O’Donnell, after losing his bid to become speaker pro tem, is joining the Secretary of State’s Office in the perfectly suited job of Commissioner of Securities… at triple the pay a state representative makes.
Find a downloadable version here.
Foster Passes
Rod Jetton, on Facebook, reports that former Sen. Bill Foster passed away yesterday morning.
I'm so sad and shocked to post this update on my good friend and a wonderful Missouri leader. Unfortunately for us, former Senator Foster passed away early this morning…. I'm just totally shocked and can't express how much I will miss him. I know he was a Christian and was ready to enter heaven but its still hard for those of us still here. Please pray for Irene Heckemeyer Foster and his daughter Karmen Foster Carson.
eMailbag on Sparks
Sparks didn’t emulate Eigel’s strategy because the structure and rules of the House (namely the lack of the filibuster) don’t permit it. What Sparks accomplished is a permanent seat on the back bench. He will never accomplish anything in the House.
Gubby Appt
In what was probably the final gubernatorial appointment of Governor Mike Parson’s tenure…
· Carla Lowe, of Stockton, was appointed as the Cedar County Treasurer.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government - $1,000,000 from Mike Rayner.
Missouri Patriot PAC - $15,000 from Xcaliber International LTD LLC (Pryor, OK).
Ford Motor Company Civic Action Fund - MO - $50,000 from Ford Motor Civic Action Committee Fund - Federal PAC (Dearborn, MI).
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Judy Morgan.
Sunday: Scott Largent, Nate Tate, Scott Intagliata, and Jim Ross.