MOScout Daily Update: Kehoe Says No Error in Map - Koenig’s Return to Politics - Siege of WashU - Hudson Gets Promotion - New Law PAC and more…
Kehoe: No Flub in Map
Governor Kehoe appreciates the work of the General Assembly in getting the Missouri First Map to his desk as he believes it best represents the values of Missourians. There is no error with the map.
All legislation sent to the Governor’s desk receives a thorough review by Governor Kehoe and his team before it is signed. The Governor looks forward to signing HB 1 into law.
While the Governor’s Office typically does not comment on pending litigation, because the discussion on House Bill 1 is so inaccurate, we have chosen to do so.
In a dark-money funded ACLU lawsuit, there is an allegation that the HB 1 congressional map contains an error: that the voting tabulation district (VTD) KC 811 in Jackson County is in both Congressional District 4 and Congressional District 5. This is untrue.
There are two separate and distinct VTD 811s in Kansas City. It is likely that the same name was assigned to two different VTDs by the US Census Bureau. Any suggestion that someone could vote in two congressional districts is false.
The Missouri First Map properly placed one VTD 811 in CD-4 and one on CD-5. (See HB 1 page 76, line 391, and page 112, line 818.) The entire source of confusion is due to the existence of two entirely different VTDs using the same number.
As has been previously mentioned, Governor Kehoe directed his staff, which includes members with extensive knowledge and experience in the redistricting and map drawing process, to create the Missouri First Map. The map meets the Constitutional requirements of population equality and contiguousness.
Breaking: Koenig’s Return to Politics…
A tipster tells me that former Sen. Andrew Koenig will soon be announcing that he is running for St. Louis County Council District 3. That’s the seat being vacated by Dennis Hancock; Hancock is running for County Executive.
· “Much of the council district is made up of municipalities previously represented by Koenig in the State Senate.”
On the Democratic side, Mark Osmack formed a candidate committee yesterday. (See the filing here). Osmack was the Democratic nominee for treasurer in 2024, losing to Vivek Malek. Before that he placed second in the Democratic primary to take on Congresswoman Ann Wagner in CD-2.
· Also this: Earlier this summer Osmack donated one of his kidneys to an old army buddy.
Rex List
Here are the large checks we’ve seen from Republican donor Rex Sinquefield this month.
· $50,000 to Missouri Leadership PAC – This is Rep. Alex Riley who will become speaker in January 2027.
· $15,000 to Heart of SGF PAC – This is Rep. Melanie Stinnett, running to replace termed Sen. Lincoln Hough. This will be the most competitive senate race this cycle.
· $15,000 to NEMO Leadership PAC – This is Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin. She is term limited.
· $10,000 to Rocker P Brand PAC. This is Rep. Brad Pollitt who is running to replace termed Sen. Sandy Crawford; he has a primary race against Sam Alexander.
· $10,000 to BB Freedom Fund – This is Sen. Ben Brown who’s up for re-election, but so far doesn’t have a declared opponent.
· $10,000 to The Wonderdog PAC – This is Sen. Kurtis Gregory who’s deciding if he should run for Congress.
· $10,000 to Brad PAC – This is Sen. Brad Hudson. He’s not up for re-election.
· $10,000 to Show Me Growth PAC – This is Sen. David Gregory. He’s not up for re-election.
· $15,000 to Real Action PAC – This is Rep. Brad Christ who is vying to become House Floor Leader in 2027. He represents a purple district, and will be running for his third term.
New Senate Approps Line-up
With Lincoln Hough’s demotion from Senate Appropriations Chair, Sen. Rusty Black takes the gavel, and Sen. Brad Hudson is the new vice-chair.
That’s a big get for Hudson, as it sets him up to assume leadership of the powerful committee when Black terms out in four years.
See the committee membership here.
Siege of Wash U
Press release: America First Legal (AFL) has filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) calling for an immediate investigation and enforcement action against Washington University School of Medicine (WashU) in St. Louis for operating one of the most egregious, systemic, and unlawful “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) regimes in the nation.
What It Means
The political right’s attacks on Washington University aren’t abstract culture-war politics – it’s about the health of one of St. Louis’s most important economic engines. WashU is a talent magnet, a critical partner in the medical and biotech sectors, and a real estate giant. If partisan politics saps or shrinks WashU’s resources, the damage won’t be confined to its campus. It will ripple throughout St. Louis.
Oops, Wrong Year
Governor Mike Kehoe’s twitter account celebrated Constitution Day yesterday, but got the year wrong. 1776 was when the colonies declared independence. The constitution didn’t come until 1787.
New PAC
Law and Order PAC was formed. It’s in support of Jason Law who’s running for St. Charles County Executive. See the filing here.
It’s interesting because St. Charles doesn’t have campaign contribution limits. And the usual reason these political action committees are formed is because they allow you to raise over the individual limits.
· But – another reason to have a third-party PAC is to attacks on opponents without directly being associated with it.
We’ll see…
Lobbyist Registrations
Claudia Alley added Conduent Inc. and Its Affiliates.
David Frantze added Kansas City Life Insurance Company.
Richard McIntosh and David McCracken deleted Show Me State Gaming, LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Clay Dems Political Action Committee - $30,000 from UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC - MO (Ottawa, IL).
MoCannTrade PAC - $10,000 from New Growth Horizon Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Jake Ayers, Chris Carter, and Don Calloway.