MOScout Daily Update: Trump Shakes Fist at Hawley - Zimmerman Jumps Into STL County Race - Where Are the CD-5 Candidates and more…
Quick Friday update…
Trump Shakes Fist at Hawley
After Senator Josh Hawley voted to debate a war powers resolution on Venezuela, President Donald Trump fired off a social media post saying, among other things, that Hawley should “never be elected to office again.”
What It Means
Hawley is trying to define a post-Trump, America First, populist agenda. And that can sometimes be at odds with Trump’s own zigzagging political compass.
· One reader, though, sent this tweet, wondering if the rift sinks Hawley’s wife’s chances at a federal bench appointment…
Why No CD-5 Candidates?
I’ve been surprised that despite the passage of the redistricting map, and the proclamations by the attorney general and the secretary of state that the map is in effect, no one has stepped up to announce their candidacy for the new Republican congressional seat.
I imagine that the first candidate will get a fat round of free press. Yet no one’s biting.
I asked around, and one observer with a front row seat told me that two forces are in play.
· First, Sen. Kurtis Gregory is considered the favorite for CD-5. And a number of others who are interested in running are deferring to him. It seems the field is in a holding pattern until he makes an official decision.
· Additionally, the pending court cases, and the legitimate question whether the map is in effect and how it plays out, are injecting enough uncertainty that folks are skittish to announce only to have to rescind the announcement in a few weeks.
Zimmerman Jumps Into STL County Exec Race
St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman announced he’ll run for County Executive.
“After years of infighting and distractions, we deserve better. When politicians bicker, nothing gets done for you. That's where I come in. I may not be flashy, and I may not be the coolest guy on earth, but what St. Louis County needs right now is real leadership, to get back to basics -- not another slick politician."
What It Means
Zimmerman is late. Sen. Brian Williams has been lassoing donors and endorsements for months. But damn, Zimmerman has a message that’s hitting its mark right in the opening salvo. Watch his kickoff video, “Reassuringly Nerdy,” here. It’s memorable and it fits the vibes of St. Louis County, increasingly weary of political drama.
Some launch videos are three minutes long and feel like a half-hour. This is two minutes long and feels like a 30-second commercial. It’s snappy and it’s right on target.
Wahby Exits Charter School Commission
Yesterday, the Missouri Charter Public School Commission held an “executive director search” meeting.
Robbyn Wahby had served in that position for a decade. The website now lists the position as vacant, and I’m told that she’s joining the Walton Foundation to continue her work on education policy.
· See the Missouri Charter Public School Commission website here.
$5K+ Contributions
Protect Majority Rule Missouri - $400,000 from Health Forward Foundation.
Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $35,350 from FiberPath Technologies.
Save Missouri Hemp PAC - $10,000 from Jay Patel.
Lobbyist Registrations
Catalyst added Remitly.
Phil Cook, Karl Janson, Desi Kirchhofer, and Kay McMurtrey added Missouri Association of School Administrators, and Missouri Council of School Administrators.
Blenda Dos Santos added Missouri Health Plan Association, Axiom Strategies, AxAdvocacy, and No More Victims.
Travis Couture-Lovelady deleted National Rifle Association of America.
Jane Dueker terminated her lobbyist registration.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Caleb Jones, and Marshall Griffin.