MOScout Daily Update: Bell-Bush Rematch Coming - Kehoe to Sign Map This Weekend - Pro-Lifers Raise $$$ - Burlison’s Agenda and more…

Quick Friday update…

Abortion Foes Start Raising Money

I have been assuming that the pro-life campaign will be largely outspent by the pro-choice forces when abortion comes back to the ballot in 2026.

I still think that will be the case, but yesterday we saw the beginning of a fundraising effort from the pro-lifers: $50,000 from Drury Displays Inc to Her Health, Her Future PAC.

·       We’ll see if pro-lifer can muster enough for a true statewide media campaign, or just enough for basic organizing.

Bell-Bush Rematch Coming

Former Congresswoman Cori Bush is expected to announce next week that she will try to win back her seat from Congressman Wesley Bell.

An insider with knowledge of the Bell Campaign says that he will post very strong fundraising numbers going into Q4 of the year.  And adds this: Bell has been laser focused on fighting President Trump's agenda during his first 9 months in office.  With the resources needed to fight the Republican power grab in the state of Missouri, it’s a real shame that Bush continues to make things all about herself and her own agenda. It will be interesting to see if her personal problems continue to plague her.... she is still subject to an ethics investigation for misuse of taxpayer dollars and her husband was indicted at the federal level for two counts of wire fraud. 

Kehoe To Sign Redistricting Bill This Weekend

“After a thorough bill review process with our team, I am prepared to officially sign the Missouri First Map into law,” said Governor [Mike] Kehoe. “Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that. We appreciate the work of legislators in the General Assembly in getting this bill to my desk, as well as passing critically needed IP reform to give Missouri voters the opportunity to protect our Constitution at the ballot box.”

GSL Names Next Leader

St. Louis Business Journal: Business advocacy group Greater St. Louis Inc. on Thursday named the leader of a chamber of commerce in Texas as its new CEO, capping a roughly eight-month process after the exit of its founding leader.  GSL said Ron Kitchens, president and CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, would become its CEO in early November.

·       Greater St. Louis Inc is represented in Jefferson City by Gamble & Schlemeier, as well as Tom Dempsey, David Sweeney, and Tim O’Connell.

Riggs Terminates Committee

Rep. Louis Riggs terminated his committee.  He’s term limited.  He donated his remaining $6,534 to the Marion County Republican Central Committee.

Burlison Adds Giants Congressional Portfolio

Missourinet reports that “Southwest Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison has drawn some ridicule from national publications over his appearance last month on a televised podcast that featured some self-admitted conspiracy theorists. During that program he was asked if he thought the Smithsonian Institution is storing skeletal remains of giants.”

·       “And I said I’d certainly take a look at it,” he told Missourinet. “So we’ve put some feelers out there, but I’m really just kind of focused on trying to get to the truths and not jumping to some conclusion.”

·       Burlison did say during the program that as a Christian, he believes the biblical account of Genesis that says Nephilim, or giants, once roamed the earth.

SLDC Audit Coming?

I like to follow the state auditor’s “audits in progress” page to see when new topics pop up.

Recently added… St. Louis Development Corporation. 

·       A year ago, the auditor’s office had opened a “preliminary investigation to determine if the St. Louis Development Corporation should be the subject of a full-scale audit.”

Lobbyist Registrations

David Sweeney added THO Investments LLC.

Jay Hahn deleted Clark Street Project.

Tracy King deleted Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, LLC. DBA AT&T Missouri, LLC. and its Affiliates.

$5K+ Contributions

Real Action PAC (pro-Christ) - $10,000 from Dealers Interested in Government.

Political Action Committee for Health – HEALTHPAC - $10,450 from HCA Midwest (Nashville, TN).

Her Health, Her Future PAC (pro-life) - $50,000 from Drury Displays Inc.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Sen. Joe Nicola, Lauren Arthur, Steve Carroll, Penny Hubbard, and Justin Hill.