MOScout Weekender: Not So Gloomy Poll For GOP - VLTs Pivot to NFPs? - Engemann to SOS and more...

Torch Turns Some Machines Back On?

The Post-Dispatch reports that “Missouri's largest operator of illegal slot machines is turning some of its games back on six months after deactivating them under the threat of criminal prosecution.”

·       The strategy was revealed in court documents filed this week by bar game company TNT Amusements, whose 2023 lawsuit against Torch Electronics led to a St. Louis federal court ruling in February declaring Torch's machines illegal gambling devices.

·       TNT said it discovered evidence that Torch had reactivated machines in at least six locations, which Torch representatives confirmed in a deposition earlier this month… TNT's filing alleges that Torch has a new plan to reactivate its machines: It told venue operators that if they re-register their businesses as not-for-profits, it might be able to turn its slot machines back on in those locations.

Engemann to SOS

Dan Engemann will be joining the Secretary of State’s office as Denny Hoskin’s new chief of staff.

“Dan brings a wealth of leadership and operational experience from both the public and private sectors.  He joins us from Attorney General Hanaway’s office, where he served as the Director of Policy and Outreach.  His distinguished career in public service and advocacy also includes serving as Chief of Staff in the Missouri Senate, working for former Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, and stints at the Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Department of Agriculture.”

Thomas to Sharpe

Senate Capitol veteran Pat Thomas will be staffing Sen.-elect Greg Sharpe next session. 

Remington/MOScout Poll: Party Trust on Issues

Survey conducted October 21 through October 22, 2026. 763 likely 2026 General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2026 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-3.6% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding. Survey conducted by Remington Research Group on behalf of Missouri Scout. See the full poll here.

Q1: Thinking about your vote, which issue is most important?

Support of Trump: 36%

Opposition of Trump: 25%

Pro-Life: 8%

Pro-Choice: 4%

Crime: 1%

Education: 2%

Economy/Inflation: 17%

Something else: 4%

Not sure: 2%

Q2: Generally speaking, which party do you trust more on the issue of education?

Republicans: 52%

Democrats: 41%

Not sure: 7%

Q3: Generally speaking, which party do you trust more on the issue of crime?

Republicans: 56%

Democrats: 35%

Not sure: 9%

Q4: Generally speaking, which party do you trust more on the issue of the economy?

Republicans: 53%

Democrats: 40%

Not sure: 7%

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Senate Leadership Races

I asked lobbyists, “Who is most likely to have enough first-round votes to win their leadership race?”  19 replies…

RESULTS

1. Jason Bean (pro tem)… 47.6%

2. Jamie Burger (floor)… 0%

3. Ben Brown (pro tem)… 0%

4. Mike Henderson (floor)… 15.7%

5. Brad Hudson (pro tem)… 26.3%

6. Nick Schroer (floor)… 10.5%

Sample of Comments

·       None, but if forced to choose I say Hudson.

·       [Henderson] Winning platform: we will never be in session during a big MIZ or Chiefs game!

·       Pro Tem is the race. Schroer has floor leader over two freshmen.

·       [Bean] The only guy with just two years left will make him attractive for leadership

·       [Bean] He’s got it locked up

·       Henderson has best chance first round. Known for keeping his word, committed to making caucus priorities his priorities, and has the best relations with the house of anyone potentially serving in Senate leadership. After the chaos and repudiation of this election, Senate GOP look for a steady hand that will keep his word.

·       You need a “none of the above” option.

·       [Bean] Why would the caucus vote to lock up pro tem for next 6 years?

·       [Hudson] I think the answer is no one BUT it would appear Bean needs Stinnett + JP to get over the finish line. Thus, he is least likely. Is Brown not simply a stalking horse. Then it’s between Bean and Hudson. Cannot determine Floor Leader until you understand the top of the ticket.

Who Won the Week?

Shereka Barnes – Despite having only $3,831 on hand, Barnes has made Republicans spend roughly $325,000 defending an R+11 northwest Missouri Senate seat that previously looked safe.

Jamie Burger – MoDOT gave his 75-mph legislation a tangible statewide payoff by selecting 325 miles of I-29, I-35, I-49 and I-55 for higher speed limits.

Kent Scism – Became St. Francois County presiding commissioner even before Election Day with a gubernatorial appointment.

Dan Haug – Registered to lobby and put his vast budgetary knowledge at the disposal of his clients.

Find a downloadable version here.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Kehoe announced several appointments…

·       Judge Nicole Colbert-Botchway was appointed as Circuit Judge in the 22nd Judicial Circuit.

·       Doug Bax, Joe Gildehaus, Don Lawrence, Jenny Monheiser, and Steven Weaver were appointed to the Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission.

·       Clayton Farr Jr. was appointed as the Missouri State Fire Marshal.

·       Christin H. Templeton was appointed as the State Supervisor of the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC).

$5K+ Contributions

Her Health, Her Future PAC - $500,000 from Her Health Her Future Missouri.

Her Health, Her Future PAC - $10,000 from             Conservative Leadership for Southeast.

Missouri Right to Life PAC - $15,000 from Michael Ross.

Stop the Ban - $580,000 from The Fairness Project (Washington, DC).

Stop the Ban - $150,000 from Abortion Action Missouri Foundation.

Stop the Ban - $25,000 from PROMO.

Stop the Ban - $153,970 from Protect Freedom and Democracy.

People Not Politicians - $153,970 from Protect Freedom and Democracy.

Vote Yes on Amendment 6 - $50,000 from SEIU Healthcare.

Vote Yes on Amendment 6 - $85,000 from Respect MO Voters Campaign.

MO Protect PAC (anti-A6) - $15,000 from Missouri Leadership PAC.

Real Action PAC (pro-Christ) - $10,000 from Frank Leta Honda.

HOMEFRONT PAC (pro-Webber) - $25,000 from Missouri Gaming PAC.

HOMEFRONT PAC - $10,000 from The Madison PAC.

HOMEFRONT PAC - $10,000 from Google Client Services LLC (Mountain View, CA).

Serve Missouri PAC (pro-McCreery) - $10,000 from Lynn Vogel.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Missouri Medical PAC.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $100,000 from MCR PAC.

Heartland Action PAC - $47,400 from MCR PAC.

Luetkemeyer For Missouri - $50,000 from Missouri Justice PAC.

Missouri Justice PAC - $25,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

Missouri Justice PAC - $25,000 from MCR PAC.

Buchanan County Kids - $12,500 from Children's Funding Accelerator, Inc.

Friends of Tim Whitney - $10,000 from Citizens United to Back the Blue.

General Motors Company PAC Missouri - Federal Committee - $15,000 from General Motors Company PAC (Washington, DC).

St. Charles Realtors PAC - $35,635 from Missouri Realtors PAC, Inc.

CWA-COPE Political Contributions Federal Committee - $25,000 from Communications Workers of America-COPE PCC (Washington, DC).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Speaker-elect Alex Riley, Chuck Hatfield, Jay Wasson, Jon Galloway, Brian Wahby, and Craig Stevenson.