MOScout Daily Update: Brown Enters Pro Tem Race - Kehoe Revs Fundraising Engine - Green Fined and more…
Quick Friday update….
Brown Challenges Bean for Pro Tem
Sen. Ben Brown threw his hat in the ring to be leader of the Senate, writing to his colleagues that his record in the Senate as a trusted “bridge” between warring factions makes him well-suited for the job. Brown joins Sen. Jason Bean in the race.
There is one thing I believe we can all agree on: we want a functioning Senate that can deliver meaningful conservative policy for the people of Missouri…
We have seen how quickly disagreements can become divisions and how difficult it can be to accomplish our goals when communication and trust break down…
Throughout my time in the Senate, I have worked to be that bridge. When negotiations have stalled, I have been willing to sit down with all sides. When members with very different perspectives have needed to find common ground, I have worked to find it…
Disagreement does not have to lead to dysfunction…
I respectfully ask for your support and your vote for President Pro Tem…
What It Means
· While Brown’s entry is a sign that Bean hasn’t nailed down the votes, I’d put Bean in the front-runner position.
· Brown has been “Freedom Caucus” adjacent during his first term, keeping close counsel with those senators. That could provide a base of support.
· Brown is currently running for his second term. He could have a four-year reign as Pro Tem. Some senators prefer two-year tenures as it keeps the leadership ladder moving.
· Senate leadership races are notoriously full of twists. Suffice it to say, this race is still fluid.
Kehoe Raising Money
In the large contributions today, there are several big checks to Governor Mike Kehoe’s American Dream PAC. We’ve seen about $175,000 come into his coffers since Election Night last week.
What It Means
For all the talk about Kehoe being politically wounded by the A4/A5 shellacking, he’s without a doubt, far and away, the favorite to be governor in January 2029.
Schmitt Makes Axios
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt makes the Axios AM newsletter this morning.
Green Fined
Megan Green, President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, was fined $3,000 by the Missouri Ethics Commission for various campaign finance violations.
Lobbyist Registrations
Chase Wright added J&J Ventures Gaming LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Robert Brinkman.
American Dream PAC - $25,000 from Drury Development Corporation.
American Dream PAC - $25,000 from Robert Blitz.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Elco Chevrolet Cadillac.
American Dream PAC - $5,650 from Rodger Riney.
Bootheel Values PAC (pro-Burger) - $30,000 from SEMO Veteran Remembrance PAC.
Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri (pro-Bean) - $10,000 from MOCS Action Supporting Missouri's Charter Schools.
964 PAC (pro-Myers) - $7,500 from Sports Betting Alliance (Lubbock, TX).
Lead the Way PAC (pro-Vogel) - $7,500 from Missouri Beverage PAC.
Protect Freedom and Democracy - $200,000 from Movement Voter Project (Northampton, MA).
MFR PAC - $10,000 from J & J Gaming (Effingham, IL).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. David Griffith, Ashley Bax, Tyler Travers, John Loudon, Nancy Cross, Locke Thompson, and Doug Moore.