MOScout Daily Update: Rumor… Bailey to DC?? - Monheiser Out of Senate 8 Race - Make JeffCo Great Again and more…

Rumorville: Bailey to DC?

One source tells me they hear that Attorney General Andrew Bailey will be tapped for a big federal role soon.  The talk has him taking a high-level job at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

While we wait to see if this shakes out and the rumor is confirmed, here’s a quick look at what it would mean for Missouri politics…

For starters, who might be on Governor Mike Kehoe’s radar to appoint as the new AG...

·       Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer – Probably be on everyone’s list.  He’s the former Senate Judiciary Committee chair, and he seemed to get mentioned for every possible higher office (MO Supreme Court, US Attorney, Congress etc).

·       Rep. Cameron Parker – Another sitting legislator that would make sense.  She’s the House Judiciary Committee chair, and the Missouri GOP could use a woman statewide office-holder.

·       Catherine Hanaway – Funny to say, but she might be overqualified for the job. Former Speaker, former US Attorney, partner at Husch Blackwell.  The question is whether she’d be willing to leave the private sector for another stint in public service.

·       Lowell Pearson – Kehoe’s General Counsel.  He’s also deep in “Blunt world,” and one assumes that Kehoe confidante Andy Blunt will offer some input on the pick.

·       Bill Corrigan – Served as deputy attorney general under Bailey, and has a close personal relationship with the Kehoes.

·       Other names that might get floated: Todd Graves, Eddie Greim, Chris Limbaugh, and Kurt Schaefer.

Winners…

·       Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick – Removes Bailey from the Missouri political arena thereby diminishing his chances of being a legitimate 2032 gubernatorial candidate.

·       Alfred Montgomery – A new AG might take a second look at some of the flimsier cases and decide they’re not worth pursuing.

TBD…

·       St. Louis County Executive Sam Page – The same logic applies here as it does with Montgomery.  Though it depends on the person.  For example, Luetkemeyer has a cross-aisle friendship with Sen. Brian Williams, so he might throw the book at Page.

Breaking… Monheiser Out of Senate 8

I’m told that Jennifer Monheiser has decided not to run for Senate 8 where Sen. Mike Cierpiot is term limited.  “She is going to focus on her family and their business.”

Where We Are

I’ve updated the MOScout 2026 Watch.  It shows that there are still three Republicans as possible candidates here: Speaker Jon Patterson, former Rep. Dan Stacy, and businessman Jeff Martin.

·       And, of course, Dems plan to make a run at this seat; Rep. Keri Ingle is running.

Avery PAC

“Make JeffCo Great Again” is the name of the pro-Jim Avery PAC in Senate 22.  I’m kind of surprised someone hasn’t snapped that name up in pretty every county in Missouri already.  See the paperwork here.

Prayers For O’Laughlin’s Granddaughter

Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin writes about her granddaughter on Facebook…

As most of you know by now our bright and beautiful Ella was in a car hit by a drunk driver last night. She and some friends were returning from the mall in Denton, Texas about 7:30. The drunk driver hit the rear of their car which then shoved them into a semi parked on the side of the road. Ella sustained a critical head injury and is in the ICU…

This situation has nearly paralyzed me with two emotions; fury that someone would hurt our Ella and fear for her life. I talk about God and prayer and all those things and I mean them. But in a very unChristian way I would put a bullet between the eyes of the guy that has hurt my innocent granddaughter and threatened her life. I know this is wrong but there you have it. I am asking God to help me get past that. I am also thanking God for all my Christian friends who immediately responded to a prayer request and the graciousness of God that he answered. One step at a time.

On the Move

Some personnel changes happening according to the payroll reports on the Missouri Accountability Portal…

·       Joe Fallis joining the governor’s office as communication and operations specialist.

·       Madelyn Warren promoted from communications manager to deputy communications director in the governor’s office.

Commission Re-Opens Applications

According to press releases, the Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Commission (city of St. Louis), which has two new commissioners, is reopening applications for vacancies created by the retirements of the Honorable Barbara T Peebles, and the Honorable Bryan L. Hettenbach.

Jeff City Parking Contract

Stephi Smith reports that the “Jefferson City Council will vote Monday on a $4.8-million, five-year contract with PCI Municipal Services.”

·       Mayor Ron Fitzwater said the goal with a third-party contractor is to increase revenue for the city. To pay for the $130-million proposed conference center, developers are planning to use revenue from parking operations to pay off bonds…

·       Part of the contract with PCI has the city splitting annual revenue with the contractor after it exceeds $1 million. The proposed contract with PCI agrees to pay PCI 15 percent of parking revenues after $1 million in revenue.

$5K+ Contributions

UFCW Active Ballot Club-Missouri Federal Committee - $10,000 from United Food and Commercial Workers Active Ballot Club (Washington, DC).

Missouri Voices - $10,000 from Mary Neal.

Surgery by Surgeons PAC - $7,000 from Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center.

Surgery by Surgeons PAC - $10,000 from Retina Consultants, Ltd.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Pat Thomas.