MOScout Daily Update: HRCC Preps for Tough November - Webber’s Good Night - Scott to SOS - Byrnes Eyes Lobbying - Easiest Job in Politics and more…
HRCC Preps for Tough November
Tipster: HRCC raised a stunning $2.1M at their annual summer caucus this past week - an all-time record. House Republicans walked away united and ready to focus on the November elections. They’re fully aware they’re going into a tough cycle and are focused up.
Webber’s Ascent Secure
One veteran observer notes that “Election night created uncertainty and chaos in the GOP Senate caucus with Curtis Trent’s loss. Conversely, in the Dem caucus leadership issues became clarified with Stephen Webber supporting both Dem primary winners (Gina Mitten and Raychel Proudie). He was present with them on election night making it pretty clear Webber will take over as Minority Leader, while the GOP caucus could have a real leadership knife fight.”
People on the Move
Jacob Scott has joined the Secretary of State’s office as Director of Strategic Initiatives.
· Scott previously staffed Bill Eigel in the Senate and then worked the halls for the Missouri State Medical Association.
Earl Simms has joined Aligned as Director of Policy and Outreach – Missouri.
· Simms was previously Public Policy and Advocacy Manager at Paraquad.
Byrnes: Open for Work
After losing her Senate 10 race, Rep. Tricia Byrnes pivots and says she’s interested in lobbying…
Consultant Follow-up
I heard from lots of folks about races I missed in my quick consultant round-up last week.
· Victory ran the winning campaigns of Tim Whitney (Jefferson County Executive) and Dave Schatz (Franklin County Presiding Commissioner), as well as clearing the field for Rep. Melanie Stinnett ahead of her Senate 30 throw-down this November.
· Sophie Shore also ran the Byrnes PAC – and lost her committeewoman race.
· The thumping defeats of Amendments 4 and 5 are even more remarkable when you consider the short timeline from legislative passage to stunning rejection by voters. The House gave final passage to Amendment 5 on April 21. When Kehoe announced May 22 they would both be on the August 4 ballot, the Realtors' 25,000 members faced a two and one-half month deadline to defeat them. The Realtors dual campaigns were managed by David Barklage, Jonathan Ratliff and Scott Charton.
· Rosetta Okohson ran Jake Zimmerman’s campaign… And one MOScouter offered this quip about their late-starting St. Louis County Executive campaign: Easiest job in politics right now? Zimmerman fundraiser. So much early Brian Williams money now has to make good with Jake.
Scharf Promoted
Wall Street Journal reports: Will Scharf will become the new White House counsel in September, President Trump said, taking the position ahead of the midterm elections and potential congressional investigations. Scharf will replace David Warrington, a personal attorney for the president who also worked for the Trump campaign before becoming White House counsel… “Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” Trump said in his post on Sunday afternoon.
Fitzwater Lovin MTC
Former Sen. Travis Fitzwater seems to be enjoying his new gig at Missouri Technology Corporation. It’s a great match and will benefit the state of Missouri. From his latest missive: Missouri. Is. On. The. Map. We are being targeted for major investment in technology, defense, critical minerals, biotech, infrastructure, manufacturing, agtech and beyond.
I didn't take this job to admire the view from the road. I took it to serve the people building our dynamic economy. If MTC can help you, your company, or someone you know, I want to hear from you. My door is open and my miles are yours. Here’s to solidifying our place on the map together one founder at a time.
KS Rejects Electing Judges
NBC reported: Kansas voters have rejected a Republican-backed constitutional amendment that would have allowed them to directly elect state Supreme Court justices… In Kansas, the governor — who since 2019 has been Democrat Laura Kelly — has the power to appoint state Supreme Court justices, chosen from a list created by a nine-member nonpartisan commission. The measure on Tuesday’s ballot, which was referred by the GOP-controlled Legislature, proposed abolishing that system in favor of contests that would have more closely resembled partisan races for other elected offices.
· The move came after the Kansas Supreme Court dealt conservatives some setbacks in recent years…
MO’s Reflecting Pool Cameo
From the NYTimes: In January, the World of Concrete trade show drew 47,000 people to the Las Vegas Convention Center. One of them was the manager of a Trump Organization golf club in New Jersey, who had come seeking help with an enormous, unfamiliar task. The manager, David Schutzenhofer, wanted ideas for how to fix the leaking, algae-ridden Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington. Several vendors told him they knew just the guy to call: Rodney Jarboe, the president of the Missouri-based company Creative Polymers. Mr. Jarboe had worked on a bridge at another federal landmark, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis... Those initial conversations about the Reflecting Pool, which have not previously been reported, kicked off an ad hoc plan by the Trump administration that involved coating the pool with a sheet of blue polyurea, which the president promised would make it beautiful…
· Mr. Trump seemed not to realize that the 2,000-foot-long Reflecting Pool might not operate like a recreational swimming pool.
LeVota Indicted
KMBC reported on Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota’s five-count federal grand jury indictment last week. Read it here.
He's facing federal bribery and fraud charges and is accused of offering county government jobs to convince a candidate to drop out of the executive's race in 2026… The candidate was not identified in the announcement Thursday or in the indictment. However, during his press conference following his initial court hearing, LeVota said "Individual 1" was Jackson County Legislator Daron McGee… Court documents detail an alleged deal involving a $165,000 county job…
· Phil LeVota is the brother of Paul LeVota, former Senate Minority Leader.
eMailbag: SB 4 Defenders Speak
· Funny how no one filibustered on SB4. Why did McCreery and others sit down if it was so bad? They were A-OK with the deals they made where rate payers pick up the tab for the poorest consumers.
· Your reader should fact check his statement on SB4. NO provisions of the bill related to utility rates have even been fully tested yet. Rates have gone up because costs go up. Mostly due to the necessity to replace old infrastructure and the need to back up renewables with more dependable power production. And to replace coal.
eMailbag on IP Reform
I have a new proposal. If a member of the legislature sponsors a constitutional amendment that loses in every single congressional district, they should immediately become ineligible to hold State office ever again.
Help Wanted
McBride Homes seeks Legislative & Public Policy Director. This role will work directly with municipalities, cities, counties, utility providers, and state agencies to address issues related to zoning, building codes, development regulations, infrastructure requirements, utility coordination, and other public policy matters impacting the homebuilding process. The ideal candidate will combine strong policy judgment, relationship-building skills, and a practical understanding of residential development to help advance the company's strategic growth objectives.
New PACs
· Asclepius PAC was formed. Its treasurer is Amber Watson. Wiki: Asclepius is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. See the filing here.
· Patients First was formed. Its treasurer is Amber Watson. See the filing here.
· Carroll & Associates / Xcaliber PAC was formed. See the filing here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Amy Blunt added Arnold Development LLC.
Jean Evans deleted Class Wallet.
John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bardgett, Chris Roepe, and Braydon Pemberton deleted City of Town and Country, City of Creve Coeur, City of Ladue, and City of Ballwin.
$5K+ Contributions
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $220,000 from Alex Riley for State Representative.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $100,000 from MCR PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from 964 PAC (pro-Myers).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Centene Corporation.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $25,000 from Xcaliber International Ltd LL (Pryor, OK).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from Sports Betting Alliance (Lubbock, TX).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,750 from Citizens for Dean VanSchoiack.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Hurlbert for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $12,000 from Friends Of Jeff Knight.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $11,000 from Jeff Brown.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,500 from Forward With Farnan.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Jennifer Monheiser.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Committee to Elect Phelps.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,800 from Committee to Elect Phelps.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,500 from Jeff Vernetti.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,000 from Committee to Elect Cameron Bunting Parker.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $8,500 from Committee to Elect Cathy Jo Loy.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $8,100 from Jim Schulte for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,600 from Citizens For Murphy.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,500 from Friends Of Doyle Justus.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,500 from Doyle Justus.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,400 from Forward With Farnan.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,200 from David Dolan.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,750 from Friends of John Voss.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,000 from Boggs for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,950 from Diehl for Missouri.
We Are Missouri - $200,000 from Missouri AFL-CIO.
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Ameren Missouri Company.
American Dream PAC - $25,000 from Richard Tracy.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Kurt Mungenast.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Kathryn Smith.
Protect NEMO Values PAC - $80,000 from Conservative Leadership For Southeast Missouri.
Lori Rook for Missouri - $10,000 from Lori Rook.
Protect Freedom and Democracy - $100,000 from Protect Majority Rule MO.
Her Health, Her Future PAC - $40,965 from Drury Displays Inc.
Her Health, Her Future PAC - $10,000 from James Kerian (Grafton, ND).
Missourians for Fair Taxation - $50,000 from No Everything Tax.
Seniors Count STL - $15,000 from EverTrue.
Seniors Count STL - $15,000 from FV Operations.
Together KC - $17,478 from Kenneth Yancy.
Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri 2665 PAC Fund - $8,656 from Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri.
Progress for Platte County - $10,000 from UAW Midwest State CAP (Detroit, MI).
The 1821 PAC - $25,000 from Advantage Capital Management Corporation (New Orleans, LA).
Respect MO Voters Campaign - $5,175 from Carol Lippman.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Cheryl Lynne Dozier, Mindy Mazur, Jerry Hobbs, Gary Nodler, and Jason Grill.