MOScout Daily Update: MRL PAC Ad - Preis Resigns - New Ads in House 96 and 105 - Ed Martin's Pardon Biz and more...
A3 Turnout Ad
The Missouri Right to Life PAC is out with a pro-A3 ad. It frames the issue starkly. “If we don’t vote for Amendment 3, they win [picture of Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]…”
One MOScouter: “It is meant to motivate the base to get out and vote on the issue.”
What It Means
Turnout is not just an A3 issue for Republicans. It’s a fear across their legislative races as well. After many cycles where their base was motivated and polls regularly underestimated Republican turnout, there’s a worry now that turnout models may be overestimating it.
Preis Resigns
Yesterday the State Board of Education continued its process to hire an outside firm to conduct a national search for a new commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. That ran contrary to rumors that it would be appointing Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin to the post.
But after the meeting Interim Commissioner Stacey Preis resigned, renewing speculation.
The Missouri Independent reports… Missouri interim Commissioner of Education Stacey Preis resigned Tuesday after just four months on the job amid speculation she was about to be fired. Speaking to reporters while the State Board of Education met in a closed session, Preis didn’t deny her situation but said no one had “directly” told her to resign to avoid being removed… Her departure comes amid weeks of speculation that Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican, could be named the state’s next education commissioner… The possibility of O’Laughlin taking over the department was a topic of conversation among school administrators attending Tuesday’s meeting, though the board has not publicly identified her as a candidate.
House Races Update
House 96 – Rep. Brad Christ ad shows him as in touch with his community. Four kids, two bathrooms and a carpool that doesn’t wait. That’s most mornings at our house… Erin and I are raising our family right here in St. Louis County. I work just a few minutes from the house. And for the last four years, I’ve tried to represent you the way a neighbor would: answer the phone, tell you the truth, work on the things that show up in your life: property taxes, your electric bill, police who answer when you call. Then I come home: the same issues. I’m Brad Christ and I’d be grateful for your vote.
House 105 – Democrat Cat Clayton puts on boxing gloves for this ad. I'm Cat Clayton and I will fight for you in Jeff City. Electric bills keep climbing. Votes for paid sick leave were overturned. Public schools are being shortchanged. Neighborhoods are being threatened by data centers. But Jeff City doesn't care. I do. Time after time, we've told them what we need and they ignore us. If it's a fight they want, it's a fight they'll get. I'm asking for your vote on November 3rd so we can fight together.
Ed Martin and The Trump Pardon Industry
The New York Times reports on the Trump Pardon Industry… In Mr. Trump’s second term, a pardon industry has sprouted up, with wealthy criminals paying well-connected lawyers, fixers and lobbyists to appeal to the administration and its allies in an effort to secure pardons. Many pardon seekers have come to the conclusion that supporting Mr. Trump and his political agenda is the fastest way to secure clemency. Some people looking for pardons have reported paying hundreds of thousands of dollars or even $1 million to hire people promising access to the president or influence over the pardon process.
This lines up with Ed Martin’s latest venture, Ed Martin Consulting. It’s focused on winning one’s case in the court of public opinion, but his website says that “public opinion” sometimes means Donald Trump.
From his website: The Audience of One. The one person who makes the final call. The archetype is President Donald J. Trump, who I think is the most prolific consumer of media in American history. Story shape: short, direct, personal. One sentence, one ask.
Tenant Wanted
Looking for a new office in Jefferson City? “This building features three private offices, a welcoming reception area, a kitchenette and a bathroom, all conveniently located on one level with no steps. Three dedicated parking spots and close proximity to the Capitol. Available 11/1/2026” Contact Karen Monnig, kmonnig@hbstrategies.us, 913-488-9925.
eMailbag
It’s one thing to push a policy proposal for several years as it gains momentum, broadens the coalition around it, etc. But, Chappell’s comments on Amendments 4 & 5 sound like he’s got his head buried in the sand. These things lost in every county – by huge margins. They also aren’t new ideas - the early versions of Amendment 5 were debated in MOLEG 10-15 years ago.
Lobbyist Registrations
William “BJ” Winton Jenkins added Spire Inc.
Matthew Meyerkord added Matthew D. Meyerkord.
Mike Grote added Waymo LLC, and Arrow Senior Living; and deleted Anti-Defamation League.
$5K+ Contributions
Her Health, Her Future PAC - $500,000 from Her Health Her Future Missouri.
Missouri Right to Life PAC - $25,000 from Frederic G Sauer.
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $100,000 from Sports Betting Alliance (Lubbock, TX).
Forward PAC (pro-Fogle) - $100,000 from Homefront PAC.
Forward PAC - $35,000 from Doug PAC.
Forward PAC - $15,000 from Serve Missouri PAC.
Senate Democratic Campaign Committee - $25,000 from Ready to Lead.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $100,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $230,000 from The PAC For America's Future.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $100,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $40,000 from Hahn DeBoef PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $16,800 from Show Me Liberty PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $12,000 from Caton for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,008 from Citizens for Simmons.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Oracle America, Inc. (Redwood Shores, CA).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Friends of Jeff Shawan.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $25,000 from 742 PAC.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Doll for Missouri.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $6,600 from Empowered Missouri Citizens for Kinate.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $8,000 from Fox PAC.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $14,000 from Mary Ann Perkins for Missouri.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $6,900 from Paul Lentz for Missouri.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $5,800 from Cat Clayton For Missouri.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $7,200 from Hoisington for MO.
Citizens For Missouri Courts - $17,500 from Thompson Coburn LLP.
Missourians for Quality Education - $15,000 from Missouri Alliance PAC.
Living Well PAC - $20,000 from Walgreens 108 Wilmot Rd MS#1844 Deerfield, IL).
Best Start for Kids STL - $10,000 from Child Care Aware of Missouri.
Best Start for Kids STL - $11,027 from WEPOWER.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to David Kent, Jay Swearingen, and Derek Ramsay.