MOScout Weekender: GSL Kicks Off Search - Poll on Tariffs - Hallway on PQ - Who Won the Week and more…
The Search Starts Now?
Press release: Greater St. Louis, Inc. announced today the formal launch of the national search process for its next Chief Executive Officer. To spearhead the search, GSL has selected nationally recognized executive search firm Jorgenson Pace… Currently, Jorgenson Pace, Inc. is engaging with the GSL Search Committee, primary investors, and other key stakeholders to officially kick off the search process.
What It Means
This surprised me. I’d figured the search was already underway. It’s been four months since Jason Hall headed for the exits. Maybe a lack of urgency is part of the St. Louis problem.
Remington/MOScout Poll: Trump Tariffs
Survey conducted April 9 through April 10, 2025. 811 likely General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2026 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-3.3% 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. See the full results here.
Q: Generally speaking, do you support President Donald Trump’s increase in tariffs?
Yes: 52%
No: 44%
Not sure: 4%
Q: Do you expect your personal finances to be better one year from now?
Yes, better: 45%
No, not better: 39%
Not sure: 16%
Q: Do you think Trump’s tariffs will be good for the country over the long-term or not good for the country over the long-term?
Good over the long-term: 52%
Not good over the long-term: 40%
Not sure: 8%
These results surprised me. They are a function of a deep partisan divide over anything Trump, but I figured when people’s pocketbooks were involved that would change…
MOScout’s Hallway Index: PQ Watch
I asked lobbyists, “What has the greatest potential to provoke a Senate PQ?” 26 replies. No surprise here…
RESULTS
1. Abortion resolution… 73.1%
2. IP reform… 0%
3. Prop A change… 26.9%
Sample of Comments
· Abortion, Guns, Labor. Historically, those are the only things that I've ever risen to the level of PQ. Now that Senator Hawley is pro-union, I don’t look for Missouri Republicans to use the PQ on labor. So that leaves abortion.
· Prop A? It seems like the most likely one to get done and wouldn’t have to go back to the people. At some point you have to wonder if the party in the majority keeps overturning the will of the majority of voters, will there be repercussions. Hasn’t happened in 20 years so why wouldn’t you PQ.
· Maaaaybe Prop A because of timeline.
· I don’t see a PQ this year
· Cindy seems to be chomping at the bit to do a PQ, I don’t know if rest of majority is as excited as her to do it.
· Small businesses are going to hammered on the paid med leave. If Republicans can’t fix that what’s the point of electing republicans ?
· Always abortion
· Abortion 1A and Prop A 1B
· Abortion is always the most likely.
Who Won the Week?
Donna Baringer – While Spencer’s win grabbed most of the talk, Baringer taking out a 30-year incumbent without a significant scandal was probably the tougher race.
Mike Cierpiot – The governor signed his huge utility bill. After years of enduring frustration in the Senate, sparring with the Conservative Caucus, Cierpiot lands the big whale with one year to spare in his term limited tenure.
Bill Hardwick – The VLTs bill will need a lot of compromise (and floor time) to make it through the Senate, but Hardwick did his job to get it out of the House.
Bryce Beal – The newest Ashland Alderman.
Steven Roberts – Tishaura Jones’ loss removes a long-time Roberts foe from the city’s political landscape.
Find a downloadable version here.
eMailbag on Columbia Mayoral Race
In 2022, Barbara Buffaloe defeated a pro-business, pro-public safety, Columbia Police Officers Association-endorsed candidate, Randy Minchew, by exactly 800 votes of the 19,868 total votes cast, in a campaign where Minchew raised less than $100k for his campaign.
Three years later, in 2025, Buffaloe defeats an extremely well-funded, well-liked, pro-business, pro-public safety, Columbia Police Officers Association-endorsed candidate Blair Murphy in a 3500 vote, 13% landslide rout on Tuesday night. Not only did the far-left progressive candidate increase her vote share from the previous election, but did so while being significantly outspent by Murphy's campaign at over a 3.5 to 1 margin ($256k to Buffaloe's $70k).
· So was the campaign strategy an epic fail or has Columbia shifted too far left for a well-known "straight-talking everyman paint store owner" non-partisan candidate to win in a local election?
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri House Democrats Action Fund - $10,000 from Ashley for Missouri.
theLOUpac - $12,000 from Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Courtney Curtis.
Sunday: Clem Smith, Mark Reardon, and Craig Fishel.