MOScout Weekender: Bell on TV? - Willett Gets MOFOP - Hallway on Next Session - Who Won the Week and more…
CD-1: Bell to Start Ads?
At a fundraiser for Congressman Wesley Bell’s reelection in St Louis’ The Hill neighborhood yesterday, the rumor going around was that Bell will be starting his television ad campaign next week as he works to fight off former Congresswoman Cori Bush.
· The fundraiser was hosted by Alderman Tom Oldenburg and Dave Sweeney.
What It Means
Bell has a substantial fundraising lead allowing him to hit the airwaves early. It’s unclear if Bush will raise enough to have a meaningful presence on the air, though third parties will probably aid her.
CD-6: Willett Gets FOP
Jay Schroeder, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police president: “Nathan Willett is the law-and-order candidate in the race for Congress. He is a proven champion for law enforcement, having fought back against the defund-the-police movement and won. We know Nathan has the backs of our thousands of members across North Missouri and will be a pro-police vote in Congress. We are proud to endorse Nathan Willett and ask you to join us in voting for him on August 4.”
· Meanwhile, Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin endorsed Chris Stigall.
MOScout’s Hallway Index: Next Session
I asked lobbyists, “Which 2026 ballot fight is most likely to shape the 2027 legislative session?” 21 replies…
RESULTS
1. Kehoe tax plan… 47.6%
2. IP restrictions… 0%
3. Abortion amendment… 0%
4. None: the budget will dominate… 52.4%
Sample of Comments
· Now that the courts have again thumbed their nose at the Gov and general assembly, tax cuts will be a priority win or lose on the ballot, I assume
· Honorable Mention: Foundation Formula Rewrite & Property Tax. The issues are interconnected. It will be interesting to see the sort of flips on property tax once some members realize high property taxes benefit the state's share of education funding.
· Win or lose, tax will dominate. I think the legislature is even tired of abortion.
· I think they get defeated and the General Assembly gets a reprieve from doing anything to deepen the budget hole while they cut $1 billion out of GR.
· Tax plan and budget go hand in hand. Those legislators who are not budget savvy will get a rude awakening when dealing with the tax plan…take tax credits as an easy quick example…they will be gone.. I don’t know anyway around that. Let the scramble for carve outs begin (it already has)
Who Won the Week?
Eric Schmitt – Viral moments don’t just happen. You have to dive for them!
Senate Dems – The MOFOP endorsement of Tracy McCreery is the latest nail in the coffin of a possible Senate 24 race. Senate Dems can now entirely play offense this cycle.
Kansas City – Hosting World Cup games starting this week, KC gets a month-long turn on the global stage.
Realtors – They’re throwing millions into stopping A4 and A5. There won’t be any doubt in Jefferson City the next time they voice opposition that they’re not bluffing.
Wash U – Their endowment reportedly had a sizable stake in Elon Musk’s soaring SpaceX. Now, about that endowment tax…
Find a downloadable version here.
$5K+ Contributions
The Leadbelt PAC (pro-Henderson) - $10,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC (Effingham, IL).
Show Me Values PAC (pro-Carter) - $10,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC.
Show Me Values PAC - $25,000 from NEMO Leadership PAC.
Rocker P Brand PAC (pro-Pollitt) - $25,000 from NEMO Leadership PAC.
Stop the Ban - $50,000 from Karlie Kloss (New York, NY).
Cut the Bull PAC (pro-Deering) - $20,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.
Great Northwest PAC (Pro-Rusty Black) - $10,000 from HealthPAC.
Missourians for Fair Governance - $343,000 from Protect Majority Rule Missouri.
People Not Politicians - $300,000 from Health Forward Foundation.
Protect Freedom and Democracy - $150,000 from Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Action.
Legio XIII PAC - $30,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC (Effingham, IL).
Protect Election Integrity - $10,000 from MCR PAC.
Protect Election Integrity - $10,000 from MCR PAC.
21st Century St. Louis PAC - $10,000 from Andrew Taylor.
Missouri Optometric Association PAC - $65,000 from Missouri Optometric Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Doug Beck, Michelle Pleus, Nicole Galloway, Morgan Mundell, and Joe Smith.
Sunday: Rep. Dirk Deaton.