MOScout Daily Update: Wilson for Auditor? - Williams’ Fundraising Push - Voucher $$$ - CMT Board Moves - Kueckelhan Promoted and more…
Breaking… Wilson Eyes Auditor Race
One MOScouter tells me that Quentin Wilson made the rounds at the Democrats’ gala Saturday night in St. Louis. He’s being encouraged to run for state auditor and is giving it serious consideration.
Wilson is a throwback Democrat who is less interested in culture wars than making state government function effectively.
Wilson served for two years as the Commissioner of Missouri’s Department of Higher Education. This followed two years as the Cabinet Director of the Office of the Governor, and three years as the state’s Director of the Department of Revenue. Before that, Wilson spent four years as the Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Williams Fundraising Push
In the large contributions (below), Anheuser Busch added $25,000 to STL CO PAC. This is the political action committee which supported allies of Sen. Brian Williams during the last election cycle. It’s now going to support Williams’ St. Louis County Executive bid.
· I’m told that the AB $$$ is the first of a new fundraising push from Williams as he hopes to extend his fundraising lead of incumbent Sam Page, and dissuade others from potentially joining the race.
Kehoe Voucher Dollars Have Left the Barn
Post-Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson writes that it’s too late to close the barn door on the MOScholars money that MNEA was suing as unconstitutional.
More than half of the $50 million set aside by Missouri legislators to expand the state’s private school voucher program already has been distributed, leading opponents to acknowledge Monday that their bid to block the spending this year is over.
Loretta Haggard, an attorney representing the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association, said with a trial over the expansion expected to get underway by November, it could be well into next year before the Missouri Supreme Court can weigh in with a final decision, giving state officials additional time to award scholarships to students. Haggard told reporters at the Cole County courthouse Monday that recovering money already given to families for tuition would be unworkable.
New Audit in Works
I like to follow the state auditor’s “audits in progress” page to see when new topic pop up.
Recently, this one was added: Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.
Civic Council Hires New Topper
I’m late on this one. From the Kansas City Business Journal earlier this month… The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City hired Floyd May III as its new president, effective in early October. Vice President Consuelo Ross has been interim president of one of the area's most influential business groups since July 2024, when former president Dred Scott stepped down.
May takes over an organization focused on strengthening economic growth, advocating for systemic equality and inclusion, and collaborating on solutions for sustainable regional prosperity for all. It was founded in 1964.
May has been chief information officer at SelectQuote since 2019, leading a technology transformation and establishing a robust cybersecurity program. Before that he worked for the Department of Housing and Urban Development…
Meanwhile
On the other side of the state, there’s still no news from Greater St. Louis – though there’s been some side chatter – about their national search to replace Jason Hall. He announced his exit December 2 of last year.
· The rumor from various city stakeholders is that GSL did offer the job to an applicant. But negotiations went cattywampus, and it came to naught.
Kueckelhan Promoted
Press release: The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today that Kayla Kueckelhan will serve as DED’s Deputy Director. Kueckelhan previously served as Director of the Division of Strategy and Performance…
During her time as Director of the Strategy and Performance Division, Kueckelhan worked with division leaders to coordinate operational excellence efforts by streamlining processes and empowering team members to improve performance. Kueckelhan has served with the State of Missouri since 2012 and has held leadership roles within the Department of Revenue.
And
Kueckelhan’s old job, Director of the Division of Strategy and Performance, is now open. See the posting here.
Harmon New CMT Board Chair
Press release: The region’s transit advocacy organization, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), has named Ellie Glenn Harmon, Director of Government Relations at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, as the Chair of its Board of Directors.
· And – also joining the CMT board are AARP’s Jay Hardenbrook and Missouri Works Initiative’s Megan Price.
Lobbyist Registrations
Heath Clarkston, Doug Nelson, and Michael Henderson added Agape Care Group.
Nexus Group deleted McDaniel Hazley Group, BRINC Drones Inc., and Husch Blackwell, LLP
Alayna Nicole Forck deleted Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
$5K+ Contributions
STLCO PAC (pro-Brian Williams) - $25,000 from Anheuser Busch Companies.
Kingdom Leadership PAC (pro-Fitzwater) - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Burns & McDonnell.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Invenergy LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. John Hewkin.