MOScout Weekender: Davis Rematch? - Hallway on What Will Define Next Session - Who Won the Week and more…

Rematch for Davis?

“Coach” Todd Berck formed a candidate committee to run for House 56 – again.  See the filing here.

House 56 is currently represented by Rep. Michael Davis, who is serving his third term.

In 2024, Berck placed second, with 30%, to Davis’ 42%.  A third candidate, Ryan Johnson, took 28%.

Remington/MOScout Poll

No poll this week.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Next Session’s Theme

I asked lobbyists, “What will define next session?” 22 replies…

RESULTS

1. Dem obstruction in the Senate… 45.5%

2. Tight budget… 27.3%

3. Positioning/posturing ahead of 2026 primaries… 13.6%

4. Something else… 13.6%

Sample of Comments

·       If Rs redistrict, Dems have to shut it down. Can’t let it go or the senate will be changed forever.

·       No revenue and bad tax policies coming home to roost will be a bipartisan problem.

·       [Something else] Whatever the topic du jour (that’s the topic of the day) for Donald Trump is. The next legislative session will be like a vacation with other families where one brat’s tantrums dictate what everybody else does and the brat’s parents don’t do anything about it and nobody says anything in order to keep the peace.

·       Redistricting - which also impacts Dem obstruction and posturing for 2026 primaries.

·       [Something else] Way too early to say, there is a political lifetime between now and then.

·       End of last session was ridiculous, with Sen Dems offering to give Rs 98% of what they wanted and R leadership hiding the proposed deal from the rank and file regulars so they could kowtow to Schnelting and PQ. But Dems would have gotten over that. They aren't gonna get over redistricting next session.

Who Won the Week?

Casey Wasser – Promoted to CEO of Missouri Soybean Association, one of Missouri’s giant AG groups.

Steve Ehlmann – The forever County Executive of St. Charles shows he can still throw a curveball, shaking up the race by circulating word that he’s considering another run.

Strategic Capitol Consulting – Scored a big win in yesterday’s Missouri Gaming Commission meeting when Circa was awarded one of the untethered sports betting licenses.

Jim Avery – There’s a long campaign ahead in Senate 22.  But Avery did the kick-off right, launching his campaign this week with a lot of energy.

Find a downloadable version here.

$5K+ Contributions

MoCannTrade PAC - $10,000 from Show Me Organics Inc.

Deere & Company Political Action Committee MO-Federal Committee - $10,000 from Deere & Company PAC (Moline, IL).

UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $17,266 from Midwest State Cap Exchange (Ottawa, IL).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Rudy Veit, Crystal Quade, Randy Wright, Jesus Osete, and Sue Meredith.

Sunday: David Berry.