MOScout Daily Update: The New Senate 22 Race - School Choice Wars - Data Center Fight in St. Chuck Race - Hot Beef and more…
Senate 22: One-on-One?
The sudden death of Rep. Ken Waller means that what was once budding free-for-all race to succeed Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, is now headed to something much more
Citing the need to focus on his company, Rep. David Casteel has pivoted back to run for re-election for his House seat.
That leaves Jim Avery right now with a one-on-one with Rep. Renee Reuter.
What It Means
This looks like a Freedom Caucus pick-up right now, as Avery has their backing and is the clear front runner right now.
· Of course, there’s still time for others to jump in, so we’ll see…
Meanwhile
David Robertson, an activist who had initially declared for Senate 22, but dropped out to make way for Avery, is apparently continuing with his plans to run for House 97, the Casteel seat. Hence the Casteel Vet session fundy; he’s looking at a spirted primary.
MOScholars Funding Continues – For Now
Governor Mike Kehoe’s plans to use general revenue funds for the MOScholars program passed its first legal hurdle when a judge declined to issue a temporary injunction. MOIndy has the story here.
· [Cole County Circuit Court Judge Brian] Stumpe rejected arguments by the Missouri branch of the National Education Association that the flow of funds should be stopped in order to prevent unauthorized spending of state funds that can’t be “clawed back.”
· But he didn’t outright deny the teachers union’s case, also turning down the state’s motion to dismiss Monday. Still, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is in his final days in office before stepping into a federal position as co-deputy director of the FBI, labeled the ruling a “victory.”
Missouri NEA President Rebeka McIntosh said in a statement: Politicians think they've won, but Missouri NEA's 45,000 educators know better. We'll prove in court what rural Missouri already knows: when you kill the school, you kill the town… Our union was the only one with the courage to take this fight to court, and we're not backing down. See you at trial
Meanwhile
One denizen says that the legal tussle over the ballot summary language of the “Right to Education” amendment is simply another front in this same war.
The so-called “Right to Education” amendment isn’t just about making classrooms “adequate.” It’s a Trojan horse that hands Missouri’s education policy over to trial lawyers and judges.
The amendment elevates “equitable and adequate public education” to a new fundamental right—a phrase lawyers know well. It guarantees endless litigation. Every parent, advocacy group, or union with a grievance would have standing to sue the State of Missouri. Judges, not legislators or voters, would define what “adequate” means. That means courtrooms—not the Capitol—would set school policy.
By creating a new fundamental right, courts could invalidate existing scholarship programs like MOScholars—programs that give low-income families and students with disabilities the chance to leave schools that failed them.
Opponents know they can’t win this fight at the ballot box. So they want to rewrite the constitution to make “adequacy” a right enforceable in court. That way, every policy they lose in the legislature—or with voters—can be relitigated before a judge. It’s government by injunction, not by democracy.
Data Center Politics II
The data center debate in St. Charles seems to be engulfing the County Executive race there as well. Former Sen. Bill Eigel has opposed the development. But his comments on Facebook sparked a social media slap fight with the Josh Elam, the son of Eigel opponent Mike Elam.
· Josh’s blast: “If you’re so willing to lie and deceive with zero integrity now as a candidate, what can we expect from you if elected as Executive?”
· Eigel retort: “Appreciate your post, even though it makes no sense.”
Cattle Market Still Red Hot
From the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Weekly Market Summary…
Demand was good to very good as buyers desperately want to fill some orders which has been difficult the last few weeks with the light runs. The market has been incredibly strong seemly adding dollars each day… Nearly every barn seems to be setting some kind of barn records on some weights of cattle currently. Both the CME Feeder Index and the MO Stocker Formula once again set all-time record highs again this week….
New IPs
Mark Johnston filed 21 new initiative petitions. I’m not sure any of them have the backing to make it through the difficult signature collection process to get tot the ballot. Find them here. They range from making Missouri assign its electoral college delegation proportionally instead of winner-take-all, to how a credit card can charge for a transaction.
Help Wanted
City of St. Louis seeks Commissioner of the Office of Violence Prevention. This individual would work in collaboration with the Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Neighborhood Stabilization, and the Office of Children, Youth and Families as well as senior leadership on the Mayor’s team to provide recommendations regarding the vision for violence intervention programs in the City. Salary: $104,078- $163,332… See the posting here.
New Committees
Todd Caraway formed a candidate committee to for statewide office in 2026 as a Republican. The only statewide office open next year is auditor. See the filing here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Ryan DeBoef added Highway 60 Corridor LLC.
Gamble & Schlemeier deleted Missouri Collectors Association.
$5K+ Contributions
MR PAC - $30,000 from Schnuck Markets, Inc.
Missouri Voices - $150,000 from Missouri WIN.
UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $19,781 from Midwest State Cap Exchange (Ottawa, IL).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Chris Limbaugh, Stephanie Bell, Anne Zerr, and Ray Salva.