MOScout Daily Update: Club Endorses Brattin - Rex Goes Big for Hanaway - Zimmerman Self-Funds and more…

Quick Friday update…

Brattin Gets Club’s Nod

Sen. Rick Brattin pulled down the Club for Growth endorsement in the CD-5 race.  One MOScouter thinks this could be significant: “This early endorsement likely means the Club will do more $$$ than they did back in 2022 [when Brattin ran for CD-4].”

Goods Fences Make Good Neighbors?

The Senate Agriculture Committee heard Sen. Kurtis Gregory’s SB 1516 that would let folks step onto another property – up to 10 feet – if they’re working on a property-line fence.

·       Sen. Jamie Burger offered his support, explaining: “I've known two people that have gotten shot and killed over something like this as far as being on the wrong side of the fence that are neighbors, but it kinda escalates to a certain point.”

Secker Kicks Off

150-ish folks showed up in Joplin for Louise Curchin Secker kickoff for House 161. She’s in a primary running to replace termed Rep. Lane Roberts.  The event was hosted by Patti Richard (wife of the late, great Ron Richard).

·       MOScouter: “Louise is one to keep an eye on in the incoming class.”

Money Watch

·       Rex Sinquefield dropped $250,000 into the PAC that supports Catherine Hanaway.  As a reminder, she’s not on-cycle.  She’s not up for election until 2028.  That’s doing the early legwork.

·       And Jake Zimmerman goes all in on the St. Louis County Executive race with a $300,000 check to his campaign.

Schmitt for AG?

On Twitter, a Daily Wire reporter floats Senator Eric Schmitt on the White House’s short list for their next Attorney General.  See it here.

SCC Scores With ICCA

Strategic Capitol Consulting, known as Steven Tilley’s firm, but really under the hustling hands of Tom Robbins, celebrated the success of one of their top priorities when the ICCA (Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act) became the first major bill to be Truly Agreed and Finally Passed this year. 

·       Perhaps the addition of Senate Pro Tem Caleb Rowden helped them unknot the Senate puzzle. 

House Perfects Shield Childcare Legislation

MOIndy reports on the House passing Rep. Brenda Shields’ childcare package.  Read it here.

It’s the fourth year the chamber has sent the legislation to the Senate, where it has foundered. Blocked in 2023 and 2024 by members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, it hit roadblocks from a handful of GOP senators in 2025 who argued it could penalize stay-at-home parents…

·       Republicans’ support for Shields’ bill raised questions from some Democrats, who asked why their colleagues opposed the budget amendment but backed the tax credits, which are projected to cost $69.7 million annually.

Deal Announced New Firm

Press release: Senior communications experts Marianna Deal and Michael Slatin announced the formation of a new firm designed to help businesses, brands, and their leaders clearly articulate their purpose and vision to create lasting business and organizational value.

Based in St. Louis, Deal Slatin Communications Group is built on the 30-plus-year careers of both Deal and Slatin and a roster of former colleagues and clients who specialize in all facets of the communications ecosystem.

·       Deal began her career in Washington, D.C., as a press secretary for a U.S. representative. After 28 years at global communications firm FleishmanHillard, Deal served as a senior communications leader for Missouri Attorney General and later U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt.

$5K+ Contributions

Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC (pro-Hanaway) - $250,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Brighter Days for Missouri (pro-Hruza) - $10,000 from Adam Beren (Wichita, KS).

KERI PAC (pro-Ingle) - $10,660 from ARC PAC (pro-Crossley).

Citizens For Jake Zimmerman - $300,000 from Jake Zimmerman.

We Are Missouri - $140,468 from Missouri AFL-CIO.

Missouri Right to Life PAC - $25,000 from Kyle McCollom.

Committee to Elect Will Worsham - $25,000 from William Worsham.

Lobbyist Registrations

Derek Coats added Matt Mills, and Marvin Wesley.

Bill Mitchell added Bill Mitchell.

Kristin Wood added MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries.

Jay Reichard and Noel Torpey added BridgelLync.

Jay Reichard deleted Gateway Early Childhood Alliance.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to Dusty Schnieders, Eapen Thampy, Ron Schieber, and Charles Portwood.

Saturday: Jessica Petrie Thelemaque, and Theresa Garza.

Monday: Rep. Lane Roberts, John McCaherty, Mark Jones, Craig Overfelt, Elizabeth Lauber, Cathy Brown and Daniel Bogle.

Schedule

No MOScout this weekend, and I’ll be off (and the legislature too) on Monday.  See you Tuesday!