MOScout Daily Update: New Bell Ads - Willett Gets Farm Bureau Nod - Job Cuts Coming to Conservation - DNR Hires Guidehouse and more…
First in MOScout: Bell’s First Ads
Congressman Wesley Bell’s campaign is rolling out its first TV ads…
· “Alonzo” (see it here) is a firsthand account of Bell’s constituent service. “Our only hope was the VA. But Trump's dysfunction led to a backlog and it put my wife's life in jeopardy. That's when Wesley Bell came to our rescue. Bell got the VA to move quickly. So now Ronica is getting the life-saving treatment that she needs. Wesley Bell is not only fighting against Trump, he's fighting for us.”
· “Bell Fight” (see it here) is a straight-forward ‘I’ll fight Trump’ ad. “I won't be bullied by Donald Trump. I'm taking the fight to him, leading the effort to hold Trump accountable for his criminal acts, stopping MAGA, and abolishing ICE, and fighting to end Trump's foreign wars.”
What It Means
“Fighter” is Cori Bush’s brand. But last election, her controversies were too much for primary voters. With these ads, Bell is saying he’s a fighter too – and I’m guessing later there will be ads to remind voters about Bush’s liabilities.
CD-6: Willett Gets Farm Bureau Nod
The Farm Bureau announced it was backing Nathan Willett. “Nathan has shown he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and fight for rural Missouri by taking the time to listen to farmers and understand the challenges facing agriculture. We’re excited to join his campaign at the ground level and work side-by-side to ensure Missouri agriculture has a strong, respected voice in Washington, D.C.”
CD-6 is largely rural, and the Farm Bureau nod gives Willett a major institutional win in a race where many expected the Graves network to hold the upper hand.
One politico expressed the surprise: “It is just shocking to me considering the longtime relationships that Team Graves has with many Farm Bureau members.” Though it was pointed out that Willett’s previously announced Agricultural Steering Committee was full of big Ag names.
· One Chris Stigall supporter downplayed the coup: The Farm Bureau endorsements in the open primaries remind me that they have a woeful track record. They endorsed Hartzler over Schmitt, Wasson over Burlison, Kalena Bruce over Alford and Kurt Schaefer over Onder. I’d say it’s the kiss of death right now in a Republican primary.
Job Cuts Coming at Dept of Conservation
MissouriNet reports that the Missouri Department of Conservation will “eliminate 106 jobs by March 2027.”
“The department has looked at our revenues, our ongoing, what I would call fixed costs related to retirement as well as health insurance, and the need to take care of our infrastructure,” said Deputy Director Aaron Jeffries.
· Jeffries said the department is not interested in asking voters to increase the conservation sales tax in order to increase profits. He said the department is grateful for the revenue it gets from the tax.
DNR Picks Guidehouse
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced that it “will work with Guidehouse to develop a plan that will align collaborations among state, federal, university and private partners to cultivate interest in development of Missouri’s critical minerals. Components of the plan will include an analysis of opportunities and challenges, a marketing plan, policy recommendations that foster critical mineral development and final plan publication within six months of a signed contract.”
· Guidehouse’s lobbyist is Jewell Patek.
Small Business Blues in Fenton
New York Times reports on small business sentiment (“Small businesses around the country were feeling plucky at the start of the year… That cheeriness has faded.”). A Missouri business gets highlighted.
“It has been an incredible challenge for a small mom-and-pop operation to just simply keep the doors open,” said Bruce Jovaag, the owner of Norse Construction, a home remodeling company in Fenton, Mo., that he started in 2013. “It has been a fight like has never existed before.”
· High interest rates slowed the housing market and deterred homeowners from renovating. Immigration enforcement exacerbated a worker shortage in the construction industry. Tariffs swelled the cost of plywood and other building materials. Last year, Mr. Jovaag’s sales, around $1 million in a good year, were down nearly 25 percent.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe announced two judicial appointments…
· Joseph L. Hensley, of Joplin, was appointed as a Judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.
· Michael L. Walton, of St. Louis City, was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for St. Louis City in the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
Lobbyist Registrations
Gunnar See added Lake Ozark Marine Dealers Association; and deleted Alibaba Group.
$5K+ Contributions
We the People Priorities PAC - $300,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Missourians for Ethical & Transparent Government - $60,000 from Lisa Thomas.
Missouri Energy Development Association PAC - $10,000 from Evergy Metro, Inc.
Missouri Corn Growers Association State PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.
Safer Families for Missouri - $10,000 from DM Law.
Parents for Missouri Public Schools - $10,000 from MOWIN.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Jay Mosley and Tim Garrison.
Friday: Mark Dalton, Angela Bingaman, Brian Nieves, and Jason Cohen.
Saturday: U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt.
Sunday: Mike Pridmore, Jeff Shawan, and Hank Thompson.
MOScout Schedule
I’m off for a long weekend. Back in your inbox on Monday!