MOScout Daily Update: The Return of the Restaurateurs - No Reed in Senate 4, But Bosley? - Damage Cap Before SCOMO - MEC Interviews and more…
The Return of the Restaurateurs…
Here we go again. Governor Mike Kehoe announced his appointments to the new Police Board to govern the St. Louis City Police Department. It was underwhelming. In place of one democratically accountable mayor, it’s going to be a hodge-podge of “civic leaders.” This is what the City got last time it was under gubernatorial appointments. We’re back on the road to the St. Louis Police Board being something status-seeking civvies lobby hard for, wanting the prestige appointment despite no expertise in running police oversight.
The four voting members, along with Mayor Cara Spencer, will be Brad Arteaga, Sonya Jenkins-Gray, Edward McVey, and Chris Saracino. Two of them are restaurateurs. I guess I was naïve to imagine maybe a criminologist from UMSL or SLU, perhaps a retired prosecutor or attorney familiar with criminal law.
· Meanwhile one MOScouter shakes his head: Email is blowing up from STL activists today, they don’t like that all of the police board appointments are white guys, and one black woman from CWE, when 90per cent of the crime is not where they live.
Bosley, Not Reed, in Senate 4?
After yesterday’s bit about Rep. Ray Reed being floated as apossible candiate for Senate 4, Reed posted on social media to throw cold water on the idea… “I saw the article this morning. So let me be clear, I am not running for the Senate. I’ll be running for reelection to the House and focusing on helping Leader Aune elect more democrats in 2026. Politics is filled with people who are salivating over climbing the ladder to their next office. That’s not me. I ran to be apart of politics, but not of it— I’m honored that some people see a future for me in the Senate. But, the House needs talent too.”
· But one MOScouter tips that “Rep. LaKeySha Bosley intends to run.” While Bosley’s House district doesn’t take in a huge amount of Senate 4, the Bosley name is well-known all across the city.
eMailbag: Primary Helps Stinnett?
One consultant, looking at Senate 30 where Rep. Melanie Stinnett appears to be facing a primary fight with Brian Gelner, tells me that Republican primaries are healthy – and helpful for Republicans… I would argue that it benefits the Republican candidates to get their name out there and campaign for months in advance of the general election. I’ve heard Rep. Stinnett talk about a primary benefiting her ahead of a head-to-head with Rep. Betsy Fogle. It seemed to benefit Sen. David Gregory last cycle.
SCOMO Hears Cases About Damages Cap
In today’s oral arguments, the Missouri Supreme Court will hear two cases questioning the constitutional validity of the statutory damages cap from 2017 SB 43.
· Kevin Rhodes v. Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.
· Catharine Sue Carter as Personal Representative of the Estate of David Carter (Deceased) v. Missouri Department of Corrections.
Rematch in House 138
Tom Franiak formed a candidate committee, Friends of Franiak, to run for House 138 as a Republican. This would be a rematch with Rep. Burt Whaley.
· Whaley beat Franiak in 2024 73% to 27%.
And
One MOScout reader asks, “Without an active MEC board, why does anyone even bother registering or filing reports?”
But
St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson reports that the Kehoe Administration “has begun interviews with potential candidates to sit on the Missouri Ethics Commission.” That means maybe we’ll have enough commissioners for a quorum later this summer.
Erickson’s witty lede: An election watchdog agency that’s been toothless for months may be inching closer to regaining some of its bite.
AG Beefs Up Press
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office announced new hires in their communications department…
· Deputy Communications Director: Isabelle Bryson.
· Deputy Press Secretary: Abigail Bergmann.
· Digital Media Specialist: Kaylee Fennewald.
Crouse Promoted
Brian Crouse was promoted to be the new Chief Operating Officer at the Missouri Chamber. He previously was their Vice President of Education.
· “In this position, Brian will play a key role in driving our strategic plan forward. He'll also lead HR functions and continue to champion impactful workforce development programs.”
Heat Hits MO Road
· See a video of a car in Cape Girardeau “going airborne” as it travels over a piece of road that has “buckled” under the recent extreme heat.
· Similarly, Columbia Daily Tribune reports “High temperatures from an ongoing heat wave are the likely cause of roadway buckling on Providence Road, Columbia Public Works said in a post to social media Sunday, June 22. The buckling happened just north of Big Bear Boulevard.”
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri House Democrats Action Fund - $25,000 from MSCEW PAC Federal Committee.
KC BizPAC - $10,000 from Polsinelli.
Missouri Corn Growers Association State Political Action Committee - $10,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.
Lobbyist Registrations
Brent Hemphill and Meagan Howerton added Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Connor Stangler added University Health Truman Medical Centers.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Alex Curchin, Roy Pfautch, Kevin Austin, Shelley Kenney, and Dani Moore.