MOScout Daily Update: Firefighters Back Law - Early $$$ Into 2026 PACs - Schappe Gets Parole Appt - MAN Targets Reed and more…
First in MOScout: Firefighters Back Law
Eastern MO IAFF Local 2665 is endorsing Jason Law for St. Charles County Executive. This is a big get for the Law campaign. Firefighters are popular first responders with voters, and they’re an engaged and effective grassroots force in local elections.
With this announcement, the Law campaign has now secured endorsements from every major first responder and public safety organization in the region, including the St. Charles County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition (LELC), the State Police Chiefs Association, and the St. Louis County Fraternal Order of Police.
· Law faces incumbent Steve Ehlmann and former Sen. Bill Eigel in the Republican primary.
Money Moves
There were a couple of significant reports in the large contributions yesterday…
· Will of the People PAC. Over $200,000 came into this PAC which is being used to organize a response to the legislature for their moves overturning the “will of the people” last session.
· Missouri Voter Project - State PAC. Over $400,000 came into this PAC from Missouri Wins Investor Network (MOWIN). MOWIN is part of a network of organizations working to build an infrastructure for progressive candidates and causes in Missouri. Missouri Voter Project PAC invested hundreds of thousands in the Joe Pereles campaign in 2024.
What It Means
It’s noteworthy that progressive organizations are raising money this early into the 2026 cycle. It underscores a belief that the midterms could have outsized opportunities for their candidates.
Missouri Alliance Network Targets Reed
The Missouri Alliance Network’s latest email blast takes aim at Rep. Ray Reed, calling him their “#1 House Target.”
Besides endorsing Reed’s opponent, David Dimmitt, Missouri Alliance Network also endorses Reps. Steve Butz (Senate 4), JP (Senate 8), and George Hruza (re-election in House 87).
Schappe Gets Parole Appt
Governor Mike Kehoe appointed Christopher Schappe to the Board of Probation and Parole. Schappe previously served as legal counsel to the Senate Dems.
· It’s a big appointment, one that usually goes to a legislator of the opposite party that the governor’s office wants to transition out of the building – or a termed legislator of the same party as a subtle reminder to others that playing nice with the second floor has benefits.
And… Scott Ream was reappointed to the State Board of Optometry.
Doctorian to CN
Sherry Doctorian retired from Armstrong Teasdale and from practicing law at the end of the year. But she’s continuing lobbying and moving that work to Clarkston Nelson Government Solutions.
December Revenues Flat
My eyeballing of the Daily Revenue sheets is that the December number came in basically flat: -0.55%. That means we finished the calendar year slightly ahead of the pace of the consensus revenue figure, up 3.3%. But there are worries that the capital gains tax elimination will impact April revenues lower. We’ll see…
Why It Matters
While Governor Mike Kehoe is one week away from unveiling a plan to eliminate the income tax and proposing an overhaul of the state’s long-term finances, many folks are watching the short term as the budget process for next year is just beginning.
Coming: ‘Cleaning’ Arrowhead for FIFA
Kansas City Business Journal reports that “[FIFA’s] policy ensures that all World Cup venues, including GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, are free and clear of existing commercial branding during the tournament is long-standing. The process of ‘cleaning’ stadiums of marks and logos is a uniquely complex — and potentially costly…”
eMailbag on Roundup Study
The retraction of the 25-year-old Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology glyphosate review is not based on new science but activist pressure. Regulators worldwide—including EPA, Health Canada, and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)—continue to affirm glyphosate’s safety based on thousands of studies.
New Committees
Citizens for Will Kraus was formed. That’s former state senator. He’s running for Lee’s Summit City Council.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $100,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $100,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $100,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $25,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $100,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Will of the People - $75,000 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Will of the People - $75,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Will of the People - $75,000 from MOVE Action.
Will of the People - $55,000 from Missouri Workers Power.
Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC - $25,000 from David Steward.
Missouri's Energy Future PAC - $20,000 from Ameren Missouri.
Safer Families for Missouri - $7,500 from Easter Law Firm, LLC.
Chappelle-Nadal For County Council - $30,000 from Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
Nexus PAC - $9,400 from Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (Washington DC).
Lobbyist Registrations
Nancy Giddens and Shannon Cooper added KC Linc.
Danny Pfeifer, Alex Eaton, Rebecca Lohmann, Greg Porter, David Willis, and Todd Richardson added Sazerac Company Inc.
Shawn Rhoads added Missouri Alliance of Professional Bail Bond Agents; and deleted DirecTV, LLC.
Jesse Hill added Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
Arin Sgroi added Phelps Health.
Garrett Webb added National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and Bridging Families to Communities and Beyond/Saint Louis YouthBuild.
Sherry Doctorian deleted Local Search Association, Advantage Metals Recycling LLC, and AT Government Strategies LLC.
James Bowers deleted BT Residential, MD Management, Tiffany Square, and Patrick Handley & Melanie Dean.
Ryan Rowden deleted Coalition for Community Solar Access.
Mandy Elizabeth Scott deleted Anheuser-Busch.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Congressman Bob Onder, Rob Vescovo, Tracy Henke, Michael Daus, Stacy Morse, and Geoff Gerling.
Brownlee Obituary
With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Richard S. Brownlee III, a beloved husband, brother, and friend, on December 30, 2025, at the age of 79, in Jefferson City, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family…
For more than 40 years, Richard represented major industries before the Missouri Legislature, advocating on behalf of sectors including insurance, technology, natural resources, waste management, construction, telecommunications, and transportation. He was widely respected for his deep understanding of state government and his ability to navigate complex legislative and regulatory matters with clarity, integrity, and professionalism...
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, Friday, January 9, 2026, at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City, Missouri. The celebration of Richard’s life will begin at 11:00 am, Friday, January 9, 2026, in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Lynn Facemyer officiating.