Driving the Day: Gov’s Debate

The postponed gubernatorial debate will take place today at 2PM. But with four candidates – the Green and Libertarian parties will be represented – it’s harder for the two major party candidates to engage each other as easily. Probably the best either campaign hopes for is a clip that can be repurposed into a catchy web ad.

Parson Reverses Some Withholds

Governor Mike Parson announced he was releasing $38 million in budget appropriations he’d previously restricted during the initial economic uncertainty of the COVID outbreak. Additionally, he announced about $95 million in CARES Act funding.

Team Galloway: Race Within MOE
Between September 28 and October 2, 2020, Garin-Hart-Yang conducted a survey among 600 likely Missouri voters. This survey, which was conducted among landlines and cell phones, has a margin of error of +4.1%.
State Auditor Galloway has closed the gap with incumbent Mike Parson and the gubernatorial race is within the margin of error and basically a dead-heat, with Parson at 50% support and Galloway at 48%...

The Battle for the Suburbs

The heavy political fighting in Missouri is concentrated in the suburbs this cycle.

The battle so far has revolved around messaging.

Republicans made a pivot months ago to make crime the focus of their message. Democrats have kept COVID as their main issue.

Galloway Announces HUGE Quarter

In an email blast over the weekend, Auditor Nicole Galloway wrote: [M]y team has been tabulating the full total for our quarterly report that isn't due till the 15th, and now, I wanted to share the new total with you: $3,000,000…

1. Who Does the Work?

2. Covid in Context

3. Vaccine Trust

4. Hold the Popcorn.

5. The Other Epidemic

6. Democracy on the March.

7. Reading too!

8. Blackberry RIP

Big Checks Continue

A month from Election Day and the big checks are still coming into campaigns…

· The Republican Governors Association sent a fresh $3 million to their Missouri committee. That money will end up in the pro-Mike Parson PAC, Uniting Missouri, which has been running an independent campaign for Parson.

CLEAN Gets Another $1.2M

The campaign against Amendment 3 (CLEANER) continues to land big checks with one month until the election.

GOP Eyes Senate 17

One Republican tipster sent in this blurb: An internal poll from senate candidate Mickey Younghanz shows that he is down only 8% points in his race against Sen. Lauren Arthur.

Roeber Accusation

The Kansas City Star dropped a bombshell yesterday. They printed accusations by two daughters of Rick Roeber alleging abuse. Roeber is the husband of late Rep. Rebecca Roeber. He’s seeking her seat.

Schmitt: MO’s Tough on Crime AG

Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s ad opens with scenes from a protest. “The Defund the Police movement is a real threat to public safety…”

The ad touts Schmitt’s “Safer Streets Initiative” and ends with the tag: Eric Schmitt. Missouri’s tough on crime, law and order, attorney general.

Farm Bureau Starts Pro-A3 Committee

Missouri Farm Bureau Fund for Real Representation was formed.It’s a campaign committee to support Amendment 3 (CLEANER) on the November ballot.

1. Ban Political Ads on FB?

2. The Targeted Presidential race.

3. Ready for October surprises?

4. Long view of union membership in Missouri.

5. Missouri = Pakistan.

6. Where the virus is migrating in MO.

7. Earning by race and marital status.

8. 1 Self-Help Tip.

The Return of State LIHTC

Yesterday, the Missouri Housing Development Commission took its final vote to restore the low-income housing tax credit program.

Gov Says He Still Feels Fine

Governor Mike Parson called into Mark Reardon’s talk show yesterday, and also released a short video, both with the message that he was feeling fine and doing the people’s work as he self-quarantined at the governor’s mansion.

Parsons Test Positive

Governor Mike Parson and his wife, Teresa, announced yesterday that they both tested positive for the coronavirus. It sent shock waves through the political world.

Closing in on 2,000 MO COVID Deaths

As of yesterday (according to the state’s database) Missouri COVID deaths were at 1,864. That means we’ll be hitting 2,000 Missouri COVID deaths by Election Day.

Dempsey Hangs Out a Shingle

Former Senate Pro Tem Tom Dempsey announced yesterday he was starting his own lobbying firm.Dempsey had previously been with Pelopidas which dissolved following their split with Rex Sinquefield.

Jeanne Sinquefield Hearts Kehoe

Jeanne Sinquefield gave $200,000 to the American Dream PAC. That’s the pro-Mike Kehoe PAC.

1. STL has cheap rent.

2. Trump’s possible turnout advantage.

3. No longer “the economy, stupid?”

4. Perspective of taxing level.

5. No Election Night winner this year?

6. Living near mom.