MOScout Daily Update: Rook to Primary Trent? - Bowman in Senate 14 - Luetky Staying Put? - Kehoe Starts Signing Bills and much more…
I’m off for the holiday weekend, but a lot to chew on today…
Rumorville: Rook To Primary Trent
Word is circulating that Lori Rook will challenge Sen. Curtis Trent in Senate 20.
It’s unclear what the line of attack would be against Trent. But since it’s a Republican primary, I would assume that Rook intents to run to Trent’s right.
Rook should be taken seriously, if for no other reason than she’s showed she’ll plunk down some money and run a real campaign. That’s what she did in the state treasurer’s race last year. She tossed in $500,000 and ended up third with 19%, just behind Andrew Koenig’s 20% and ahead of Cody Smith’s 15%.
Why It Matters
The Senate Republican Caucus is poised for some major changes in 2027.
· Its leadership (Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer (see below)) will be termed.
· There are fierce primaries shaping up in all eight non-returning Republican senators’ districts - showdowns across the state that will determine if the Senate veers towards the Freedom Caucus or not.
· Now, with his challenge to Trent, those primaries are apparently beginning to show up in incumbent Republicans’ districts.
It looks like a wild 2026 cycle ahead.
Rumor-nil? Luetky Sticking Around
According to the talk among lobbyists, Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, once rumored to be on the short-list as the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District, is now not expected to get that appointment.
The rumor had set off speculation earlier in the year about who would ascend to take Luetky’s spot as Majority Floor Leader of the Senate. No need to game all those scenarios out now as it looks like he’ll be back next January to finish the final year of his term.
Breaking… Bowman in Senate 14
Former Rep. John Bowman formed a campaign committee to run for Senate 14. That’s where Sen. Brian Williams is term limited.
Bowman’s treasurer is former County Executive Charles Dooley.
· Bowman joins Rep. Raychel Proudie, Joe Palm, and Shaunte Duncan in an increasingly crowded field.
What It Means
Williams is thought to be prepping a run for County Executive. Having a hotly contested primary driving turnout in his base wouldn’t be a terrible thing for him.
Suit Filed to Stop HJR 73
The latest in the abortion war… From Post-Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson: In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cole County Circuit Court, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Stinson law firm said Secretary of State Denny Hoskins certified a misleading summary statement and ballot language for a statewide ballot initiative seeking to overturn voter-approved protections for reproductive rights. The ACLU said the ballot language fails to inform voters that, if approved, it will eliminate a woman’s right to reproductive freedom.
Haggard Charged With Election Interference
Cyndia Haggard was charged with the misdemeanor of interfering with election verification.
From the probable cause statement: When Ms. Haggard was told she could not be at the judges table, she refused to leave the area and seat herself in the audience. Ms. Haggard was approached by a bailiff who asked Ms. Haggard to stop handling the paperwork and to return to the area where observers were allowed. Ms. Haggard became verbally combative with the bailiff…
· Haggard, the former chair of the Vernon County Republican Party, was previously the leader of the movement to “vet” Republican candidates.
Freedom Caucus Assigns Policy “Sub-Chairs”
The Freedom Caucus has assigned its members to chair various policy “sub-committees,” as it sharpens its focus on legislation for the upcoming session.
· Rep. Darin Chappell: Reducing Government Spending
· Rep. Jeff Coleman: Tax Reform
· Rep. Michael Davis: Regulatory Reform
· Rep. Bill Hardwick: Agricultural Policy
· Rep. Holly Jones: Make MO Health Again
· Rep. Ben Keathley: Judicial Reform
· Rep. Mark Meirath: Small Business Policy
· Sen. Nick Schroer: Election Integrity
· Sen. Adam Schnelting: Protecting Life & Liberty
· Rep. Justin Sparks: Make MO Safe Again
· Rep. Bob Titus: 2nd Amendment
· Rep. Richard West: Educational Freedom
· Rep. Burt Whaley: Veteran Affairs
Jones Trash Talks City
It’s kind of crazy to see a former mayor post on social media how terrible her city is. And yet, here we are…
Latest No-Quorum, No Action
The Missouri Ethics Commission continues to be without a quorum of commissioners because Governor Mike Kehoe hasn’t nominated anyone. As a result, complaints of ethics violations are ending with “no action.” The latest (see it here) involves former Rep. Jamie Johnson.
McKenna to AFL-CIO
With Merri Berry retiring in August, the MO AFL-CIO voted to appoint Ryan McKenna as the new Secretary Treasurer of the MO AFL-CIO.
As a former state rep, senator and Director of the Department of Labor, he brings a wealth of knowledge and relationships and can hit the ground running. Additionally, McKenna is extremely well liked in the building.
· McKenna is currently Government and Community Relations Liaison at the St. Louis Community College.
Kehoe Starts Signing Bills
Press release: Governor Mike Kehoe signed five pieces of legislation into law…
· SB 28, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean and Representative Donnie Brown, modifies provisions relating to transportation.
· SB 396, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown and Representative Brad Banderman, authorizes the board of trustees of a consolidated public library district to change the dates of the fiscal year.
· HB 105, sponsored Representative Jeff Vernetti and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, authorizes the conveyance of certain state property.
· HB 169, sponsored by Representative Donnie Brown and Senator Jason Bean, modifies provisions relating to cotton trailers.
· HB 974, sponsored by Representative Jim Murphy and Senator Sandy Crawford, establishes provisions relating to insurance for certain uses of motor vehicles.
$5K+ Contributions
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Missouri PAC - Federal Committee - $26,314 from IBT DRIVE Committee (Washington, DC).
Robertson for Missouri - $37,000 from David Robertson.
Lobbyist Registrations
Michael Donnelly deleted Club for Growth.
Tom Rackers deleted Missouri Flagship Council.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sara Schuett, Hart Nelson, Doug Mann, and Duane Simpson.
Fourth of July: Sen. Curtis Trent, Rep. Adrian Plank, Victor Callahan, Brian Millner, and Joe Aull.
Saturday: Jake Zimmerman, Jerry Hunter, Chris Molendorp, and Gary Dusenberg.
Sunday: Susan Montee.
MOScout Schedule
Happy Independence Day! I’m off tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Back in your in-box Monday morning.