MOScout Daily Update: Assessing the Capitol Culture - Graff in Senate 18 - SB4 Opponents on New Plant - Van Zandt to DHSS - RKFj to MO and more…
Capitol’s Predator/Harassment Problem
There was quite a response to yesterday’s headline of Sen. Stephen Webber saying “there are sexual predators who work in this building.” A sample from several texts/emails/phone calls I received…
· I just want you to know that this blurb has sparked quite the guessing game with people. I’ve already received 3 texts from different people this morning saying “which one do you think he’s referring to?” Because we all know there’s more than one sexual predator in the building this could apply to…
· I can come up with at least seven.
But here was the most thoughtful explanation I received from one person in our capitol family…
1. Consent cannot exist where power is imbalanced. When someone is a lobbyist, advocate, or staffer—when their work depends on the goodwill of legislators or power brokers—true consent is impossible. What may look consensual from the outside is frequently coercive behind closed doors.
2. The culture of abuse crosses roles and party lines. Predators are not limited to one chamber, one gender, or one job title. There are legislators, staff, journalists, lobbyists, and principals who use their power and access to harass, coerce, or assault others. This affects both women and men.
3. Drugging is real, and it’s rampant in Capitol spaces. Roofying is rampant at Capitol events and spaces. I personally know of nearly a dozen instances, involving both men and women, in bars, caucus events, private parties, and even official offices.
4. My own experiences, and those of others, reflect a toxic and predatory environment. I’ve had two clients who crossed serious boundaries. One texted me inappropriate propositions throughout the night. Another had been so inappropriate around me that another staff member reported it to their national office.
5. Many are complicit—through silence or protection. That’s how the culture survives: not just through the predators but through the people who look away.
2026 Watch: Graff in Senate 18
Sarah Graff was in the building yesterday, being squired around by Axiom’s Freddy Barnes. Graff announced she was planning to run for Senate 18. That’s where Cindy O’Laughlin is termed.
Graff is a councilwoman in Moberly; and she has a ton of political experience having worked for Senators Jim Talent, Kit Bond, and Roy Blunt, as well as Congressman Sam Graves.
She looks like the instant front-runner…
· O’Laughlin gave an implicit endorsement, reposting her press release on social media.
· I’m told that Rep. Louis Riggs has decided not to run.
And
Rep. Jeff Knight amended his campaign committee to run for Senate 16 where Sen. Justin Brown is termed.
See MOScout’s 2026 Watch spreadsheet here.
SB 4 Opponents: Nodaway Plant Already Planned
Following up on my Wednesday item about Evergy announced plans for the construction of a natural gas power plant being related to SB4, opponents say “not so fast, Drebes!”
“That plant was already being built with or without SB 4. They filed a CCN with the PSC for a 440 MW gas plant in Nodaway in September of 2024. SB 4 now just allows them to front load and inflate the cost to ratepayers for preexisting construction plans.”
Van Zandt to DHSS
Tim Van Zandt, a former state representative who then served as St. Luke’s government relations man in the capitol for a decade, announced that he “will start work as the new Deputy Director at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. I look forward to serving the citizens of the State of Missouri!”
Hawley Lasso’s RFK Visit
On Twitter, Senator Josh Hawley writes “Delighted to say that today, at my invitation, Robert Kennedy Jr agreed to come to Missouri to see firsthand the sites where the government dumped nuclear waste in St. Louis - and the lives that have been ruined because of it. It is time to compensate these good people NOW…”
New Committees
Unplug Musk was formed. It’s a campaign committee for an undetermined ballot question in 2026. Its treasurer is former Rep. Deb Lavender. See the filing here.
$5K+ Contributions
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $25,000 from Patterson for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from Alex Riley for State Representative.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,500 from Dirk Deaton For Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Jones For State Rep.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Citizens for Jeff Myers.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Hruza for Missouri.
The Committee for Families with Sick Kids, Inc. - $50,000 from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City Inc.
theLOUpac - $19,000 from Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc.
A Brighter Future for St Louis PAC - $5,001 from theLOUPAC.
Bruce Adib-Yazdi for SGF City Council - $10,432 from Heavy Construction Laborers Local Union No. 663 PAC.
YES for KC Kids - $10,000 from Heavy Constructors Association.
Lobbyist Registrations
Amy Blunt and Olivia Wilson added Missouri Automobile Dealers Association.
Frank Plescia added Modern Ag Alliance.
David Klarich added My Missouri.
Christopher Schoeman added 1st Phorm.
Jay Reichard deleted St. Luke's Hospital, and My Missouri.
Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, Christopher Schoeman, and Alec Rosenblum deleted Binti, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Joe Fallert, Scott Lipke, and Marty Oetting.