MOScout Daily Update: Seitz Takes MSCC Reins - Smith Backs Data Centers in Rural MO - Sheriffs in Trouble - Dean Ethics Probe and more…
Seitz Takes MSCC Reins
Daniel Seitz has been named the Executive Director of Missouri Senate Campaign Committee. That’s the Senate Republican Caucus’ campaign vehicle to protect and expand the GOP majority.
Seitz is the chief of staff to Sen. Brad Hudson. But more importantly, he’s run all sorts of campaigns in Oklahoma and Missouri.
Likely on his to do list…
· Dissuade divisive or nasty primaries in pink-ish Senate 8 (Sen. Mike Cierpiot is termed) and purple-ish Senate 30 (Sen. Lincoln Hough is termed), where Republicans must defend open seats.
· Recruit a viable Republican in Senate 24 where Sen. Tracy McCreery is running for re-election, to expand the battlefield and make Dems play defense.
Smith Backs Data Centers in CD-8
On Twitter, Congressman Jason Smith said that “data centers in Missouri would be a win for the 8th District and the hardworking people that live here.”
· For years, jobs and investment have bypassed rural Missouri… these centers would bring in revenue that would be invested into our local communities, supporting local schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Data center and AI spending continues to be – by far – the greatest growth area in the U.S. economy over the past several quarters. Some communities like St. Charles are banning data centers due to concerns about water and energy usage. Others are jumping at the chance to land them.
Sheriffs in Trouble
· St. Louis City Sheriff Alfred Montgomery was placed on leave while he sits in jail under indictment.
· Scotland County Sheriff Bryan Whitney may be disciplined for his drunk driving arrest.
Dean Testifies in Ethics Probe
Missouri Independent reports on yesterday’s Ethics Committee hearing…
During the nearly five-hour hearing, state Reps. Cecelie Williams, a Republican from Dittmer, and Jeremy Dean, a Democrat from Springfield, testified about the Sept. 4 text...
· In the text, Dean included a description of an oral sex act with the president and questioned how Republicans could talk while engaged in it.
Kehoe Confronts SNAP Shutoff
The Kehoe Administration is cobbling together a safety net funding they can find to help with the expected food crisis due to the government shutdown. With the SNAP benefits shutoff just days away, Governor Mike Kehoe announced…
· A full $10.6 million fund transfer from the Senior Services Growth and Development Fund to Missouri Area Agencies on Aging.
· A $5 million distribution to Missouri food banks using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding. This action takes the place of a regular appropriation typically issued later in the year…
· WIC benefits will be available for redemption in Missouri into November… Retailers and participants will be notified should a pause in benefit redemption become necessary in the latter half of the month.
And
Dan Shaul, Executive Director of the Missouri Grocers Association, talks to Missourinet about the looming shutoff. Read it here.
· Shaul told Missourinet that the grocers’ top concern is making sure people have enough food to get by. “We work with food banks and resources like that on our regular basis,” said Shaul. “Have regular pickups of fruit and produce that may be getting to where it needs to be consumed sooner than later, and certainly with bakery products as well.”
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe made six appointments…
· Jami Adams, of Springfield, was appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.
· Dr. Dawn Heizman, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.
· Dr. Rolfe McCoy, of Chillicothe, was appointed to the Missouri Dental Board.
· James Morris, of Jasper, was appointed as the Jasper County Eastern District Commissioner.
· Jason Pounds, of Houston, was appointed to the Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission.
· Reuben Shelton, of Chesterfield, was appointed to the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents.
Pursing Judgeships
The Appellate Judicial Commission announced the following applicants for the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, created by the July 2025 appointment of Judge Cristian M. Stevens to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri:
Shane K. Blank, Madeline O. Connolly, Heather R. Cunningham, Joseph L. Goff Jr., Amanda L. Grellner, Kathleen S. Hamilton, Craig K. Higgins, Timothy W. Inman, Joan M. Lockwood, Scott A. Millikan, Corey R. Moon, Jerel L. Poor II, David E. Roland, and Grant W. Wobig.
$5K+ Contributions
Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $20,000 from Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.
1776 PAC (pro-Schroer) - $6,500 from Dwain Eoff.
Missouri Dream PAC (pro-Phelps) - $8,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Paladin PAC - $20,000 from J&J Ventures of Missouri, LLC (Effingham, IL).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Kyna Iman, Bruce DeGroot, Vince Schoemehl, and Mark Parkinson.
MOScout Schedule
No MOScout this weekend.