10:00 Hour

The Senate gaveled in

Prayer and Pledge

Roll Call

Senator Luetkemeyer dispensed with reading of the journal

Senator Luetkemeyer moved that the Senate standing recess until 1:00 pm.

2:00 Hour

The Senate gavelled in shortly after 2:00 pm

Senator Beck was recognized for a privileged motion on HB 516

Senator Beck motioned for a quorum call

Senator Schroer moved that HB 516 be taken up for third reading and passage. He also moved for the adoption of the Senate substitute.

Senator Carter inquired Senator Schroer

Senator McCreery inquired Senator Schroer

Senator McCreery inquires Senator Roberts

Senator McCreery inquired Senator Mosley

Senator Mosley inquired Senator Schroer

3:00 Hour

Senator Williams inquired Senator Schroer

The bill was adopted.

Senator Schroer moved the HB 516 be taken up for third reading and passage. The bill passed 32-0

The Senate stands in recess until 5:00 pm

The post Senate Hour by Hour Thursday, May 8 appeared first on The Missouri Times.

10:00 Hour

Senate gaveled in

Prayer and Pledge

Roll Call

Senator Luetkemeyer moved to dispense with the journal

Senator Luetkemeyer moved to reports of standing committees

Senator Bernskoetter offered a report

Senator Brown (16) moved to third read and finally pass HB 225

The bill was third read and finally passed by a vote of 30-2

Senator Brown (16) moved for the adoption of the emergency clause

The emergency clause was adopted

Senator Bean objected

Senator Brown (16) moved to adopt the title

The title was adopted

Senator Brown (16) moved to that the vote by which the bill was passed be reconsidered

Senator Brown (16) moved to lay the motion on the table

Senator Henderson was recognized for a privileged motion on SB 68

Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman raised a point of order over interrupting a roll call

Senator Luetkemeyer motioned that the Senate stand at ease

The Senate returned to session

Senator Coleman withdrew her point of order

Senator Henderson was recognized to speak on the bill

Senator Henderson moved that SB 68 be third read and finally passed

Senator Moon inquired of Senator Henderson

11:00 Hour

Senator Moon continued his inquiry of Senator Henderson

Senator Moon inquired of Senator Washington to introduce a special guest

Senator Moon inquired of Senator Henderson

12:00 Hour

Senator Moon continued his inquiry Senator Henderson.

Senator Moon spoke on the motion.

Senator Beck inquired Senator Henderson

The bill passed 29-5

Senator May inquired Senator Mosley

Senator Luetkemeyer requested that messages from the House be read.

Senator Luetkemeyer requested a report on standing committees.

Schroer moved for the adoption of House Bill 595

Senator Lewis inquired Senator Schroer

Senator Lewis Spoke on the bill and offered a substitute motion.

Senator Schroer spoke against the motion.

Senator Brattin inquired Senator Schroer

Senator McCreery spoke on the motion

Senator Lewis inquired Senator Roberts

The post Senate Hour by Hour Wednesday, May 7 appeared first on The Missouri Times.

You really have to think that Senator McCreery is a lock to be re-elected making it 10-8. Senators Schroer, Fitzwater, Black, Ben Brown, and Trent will be re-elected making it 15-8. Then Senators May and Williams will be replaced by fellow Democrats taking the numbers to 15-10. Senator Carter may face a primary but regardless SD32 will send a Republican to the Senate making it 16-10.
While Senators Bernskoetter, Justin Brown, Cindy O’Laughlin, Coleman, and Crawford will be replaced by fellow Republicans making it 21-10.

That leaves SD34 where Senator Luetkemeyer is likely, but not certain to be replaced by a Republican making it 22-10.
Then there are the two very competitive seats in SD30 and SD8 where Republicans probably have the advantage but the districts are not trending well for the GOP and the Democrats have strong candidates.
So the cycle begins with a 22-10 Republican majority with two competitive races.

Competitive General Elections
#1 SD 30 R+2% Senator Lincoln Hough is term limited.
PRIMARY: LEAN STINNETT
GENERAL: LEAN REPUBLICAN
This will be the most interesting race in the state because it will have a primary and a general election. On the Republicans side you could possibly see a primary of Rep. Melanie Stinnett vs. Springfield businessman Brian Gelner who ran in SD20 in ‘22.
Out of the gate you would give the edge to Rep. Stinnett because of her background of winning tough races. Gelner was a tremendous fundraiser in ‘22 that leads me to think that the best way to avoid a primary is either A) Stinnett comes out of the gate with a big quarter or B) Governor Kehoe gets involved, which seems like a longshot.
The Democrats are waiting on ‘24 gubernatorial nominee Crystal Quade to decide if she wants to run. If she does then the nomination is likely hers. If not then Rep. Betsy Fogle is waiting in the wings to mount a campaign.
Regardless of which combination of Gelner or Stinnett vs. Quade or Fogle the race to replace Senator Hough will be the most competitive in the state.

Rep. Melanie Stinnett
Cash on Hand: $47,659.97
Heart of SGF PAC
Cash on Hand: $1,692.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $49,351.97

Rep. Crystal Quade
Cash on Hand: $18,291.76
CRYSTAL PAC
Cash on Hand: $13,719.87
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $32,011.63

Rep. Betsy Fogle
Cash on Hand: $111,881.35
Forward PAC
Cash on Hand: $11,961.67
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $123,843.02

#2 SD 8 R+3% Senator Mike Cierpiot is term limited.
GENERAL: LEAN REPUBLICAN
This race will be a primary and a general as well, but likely not as competitive of a primary as SD30. The discussion on the race begins with Rep. Keri Ingle. She is a star of the Democratic Party and is the only person who could really take this seat from the Republicans. If the Democrats are 100% fully funding this race along with SD30, and that is their game plan to get to 12 members in ‘26, and take away the veto proof majority in the State Senate.
The Republican side begins and ends with House Speaker Jon Patterson. He is the top star on the Republican bench statewide, but could choose to take this Senate seat. If he does then then everyone will have to rethink how they rank SD8.
If the speaker chooses not to make the race then you likely have former Rep. Dan Stacy who will likely run either way, against Dr. Marc Taormina.
Taormina could possibly be a self funding Axiom client and have the advantage in the primary.
This race is still taking shape. The possibilities range from Speaker Patterson putting the seat away for the Republicans to Rep. Ingle likely being slightly favored over former Rep. Stacy to a donnybrook between Rep. Ingle and the doctor.
It’s still early and while the district is trending more blue we’re keeping it lean Republican until things fully shake out.

Rep. Keri Ingle
Cash on Hand: $71,221.95
KERI PAC
Cash on Hand: $26,902.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $98,123.95

Former Rep. Dan Stacy
Cash on Hand: $4,712.31
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $4,712.31

Speaker Jon Patterson
Cash on Hand: $303,433.07
Missouri Alliance PAC
Cash on Hand: $1,107,497.07
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $1,410,930.14

#3 SD 34 R+5% Senator Tony Luetkemeyer is term limited.
GENERAL: LIKELY REPUBLICAN
The primary will likely be more interesting than the general, but there is a chance that a Democrat could compete. The southern portion of the district is trending away from the GOP while the northern historically Democratic portion of the district is trending stronger Republican every cycle. It’s hard to see anyone being a better candidate than Martin Rucker in ‘18, but who knows if Senator Beck can pull a recruit that will at least make the Republicans spend some money in SD34.
On the Republican side Rep. Sean Pouche is discussing running as well as Rep. Brenda Shields and Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett.
Any of the three would be favored in a general election. You have a difference in Rep. Shields from the northern portion of the district who has amazing name ID in the district and many big donors who would be all in for her and young, but very real talent in Councilman Willett from the southern portion of the district. It seems unlikely that Shields and Willett run against each other, and if Willett gets the nod you could see a Governor in the making.

Rep. Brenda Shields
Cash on Hand: $99,923.71
Lewis and Clark Leadership PAC
Cash on Hand: $18,709.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $118,632.71

Rep. Sean Pouche
Cash on Hand: $20,811.13
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $20,811.13

Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett
Cash on Hand: $7,206.43
NextGen North PAC
Cash on Hand: $24,860.90
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $32,067.33

Incumbents Facing Potential Primaries
#4 SD 32 R+41% Senator Jill Carter is seeking re-election
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LIKELY CARTER
Senator Carter pulled the upset of 2022 in defeating Senator Bill White. She has taken to the Senate and is now in a very good spot to be one of the most influential senators the next two years.
However, there is a good deal of speculation that Rep. Ben Baker who is term limited might consider challenging her next summer. Keep in mind she defeated an incumbent in former Senator White in ‘22.
She will start out as the favorite, but Rep. Ben Baker would be a legitimate challenger.

Sen. Jill Carter
Cash on Hand: $39,019.62
Missouri Heritage PAC
Cash on Hand: $18,534.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $57,553.62

Rep. Ben Baker
Cash on Hand: $82,642.49
MO Values PAC
Cash on Hand: 19,262.33
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $101,904.82

Open Dems Safe Primary
#5 SD 4 D+5.3% Senator Karla May is term limited.
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY: TOSS UP
The race to replace Senator May will be the typically spirited one like it is every year the seat is open. As of now Rep. Steve Butz has come out with a lot of momentum and a big event. He will undoubtedly put together the money to be a force in the race from south city.
Former Rep. Peter Merideth is still mulling a run, and if he jumps into the race he will be a major factor and probably detrimental to Rep. Butz.
Former Rep. Gina Mitten is looking at running, and as a woman and veteran legislator would be a top tier contender.
Blaine Folsom is the legislative assistant to Rep. Bosley has opened a campaign account to run. Many are encouraging former Rep. and current member of Senator May’s staff Wiley Price to consider running.

Blaine Folsom
Cash on Hand: $ N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $ N/A

Peter Merideth
Cash on Hand: $24,551.52
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $24,551.52

Rep. Steve Butz
Cash on Hand: $97,246.18
Butz STL PAC
Cash on Hand: $31,776.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $129,022.18

Gina Mitten
Cash on Hand: Limited Activity
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $ N/A

Michele Kratky
Cash on Hand: $1,235.59
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $1,235.59

#6 SD 14 D+32% Senator Brian Williams is term limited.
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY: LEAN PROUDIE
The race to replace the most talented Democrat in the state will be a hot one just as it was eight years ago. Rep. Raychel Proudie is officially in the race and probably starts as the front runner. Her name ID from running her House campaigns and her fundraising contacts give her a head start.
There is also a very competitive potential field with Joe Palm who has working in the White House on his resume and has all the ability to be a top flight contender. Shaunte Duncan, an ally of Senator Roberts is also running. She has the potential to also make this a very very competitive field. Lastly, it wouldn’t shock me if former Rep. and all around stud John Bowman jumped in.

Joe Palm
Cash on Hand: $ N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $N/A

Shaunte Duncan
Cash on Hand: $10,209.42
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $10,209.42

Rep. Raychel Proudie
Cash on Hand: $11,344.83
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $11,344.83

Open Republicans Safe Primary
#1 SD 22 R+16% Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman is retiring
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LEAN CASTEEL
The race to replace Senator Coleman in north JeffCo will be a barn burner. Bout like the race in ‘22. The first out of the gate will be Rep. David Casteel. He is a businessman with a lot of connections in both the business and political communities.
Rep. Ken Waller is said to be mulling over running while Rep. Renee Reuter has announced her intention to join the race. Both have county wide name ID, but Waller probably would be the favorite of the two.
Then the wild card is former Rep. Jim Avery. He was a very talented legislator in the House, and has told some folks that he could partially fund a primary in his new home county. Jim has the personality and potentially the resources to make this a fun race to cover.

Rep. David Casteel
Cash on Hand: $30,518.86
Casteel PAC
Cash on Hand: $9,604.26
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $40,123.12

Rep. Renee Reuter
Cash on Hand: $2,918.59
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $2,918.59

Rep. Ken Waller
Cash on Hand: $51,750.43
Building JeffCo Together
Cash on Hand: $5,619.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $57,369.43

David Robertson
Cash on Hand: N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $ N/A

#2 SD 16 R+19% Senator Justin Brown is term limited.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: TOSS UP
The race will be a donnybrook with candidates from all across the district vying for the Senate seat. Starting left to right Rep. Jeff Knight from Laclede County has the best fundraising pedigree of the field and hails from Laclede County with 28% of the vote. The question will be does he want to run. He has many irons in the fire and a tough decision to make. His decision will shape the race more than anyone else.
Former Rep. Hannah Kelly is reportedly in the race from Wright County who starts with 14.3% of the vote and maybe a head start on a Missouri Right to Life endorsement.
Pulaski County has more people than primary voters because of the military base and has two candidates in the race. Rep. Don Mayhew who has a proven track record of winning elections and could potentially self fund a portion of the race.
Rep. Bill Hardwick’s military record and name ID makes him a top contender. He has a strong record of raising money and if he puts together enough money to tell the folks in SD16 about his war record he could be the one who benefits most if Rep. Knight foregores a run.
Joe Steelman starts off the race with a stellar last name and the only candidate from the Phelps/Dent area of the district that makes up over a third of the district. He is a first time candidate, but it’s in his blood. If he remains the only candidate from Phelps/Dent and puts together a quick $100,000 then he would probably attain front runner status.
In the end if Rep. Knight is in the race that is to Steelman’s advantage and the winner can probably make it across the finish line with 8,000-9,000 votes. If Rep. Knight is not in the race then the winner will need to top 10,000 votes and those 7,000 votes in Laclede County will be a prize to whoever raises the most money to chase them.

Joseph Steelman
Cash on Hand: N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $N/A

Rep. Bill Hardwick
Cash on Hand: $149,722.86
Missouri Enterprise Fund
Cash on Hand: $37,299.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $187,021.86

Rep. Don Mayhew
Cash on Hand: $37,346.36
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $37,346.36

Rep. Hannah Kelley
Cash on Hand: N/A
Accountability PAC
Cash on Hand: $6,244.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $6,244.00

Rep. Jeff Knight
Cash on Hand: $80,320.00
YAK PAC
Cash on Hand:$42,384.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $122,704.00

#3 SD 6 R+6% Senator Mike Bernskoetter is term limited.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: TOSS UP
This has historically been a Cole County seat for decades. However, there is a new wrinkle in the maps in that Cole and Moniteau only represent 53.3% of the district.
Competing for those votes are Rep. Rudy Veit and Jefferson City Councilman Derrick Spicer. Rep. Veit will have the advantage of a larger area that he has represented than Spicer and has the ability to finance his own race if he chooses. While Spicer is holding his own in fundraising and has a cast of celebrity friends from Ozzie Smith to Neil Smith willing to back him. Spicer is well known in the political community, and is a legitimate contender in this race.
If they split up that 53.% of the vote there will be an open lane for someone from Camden County to run. Former Rep. Lisa Thomas has been rumored to be considering a run for senate. Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton has been mentioned. He has some legal issues right now, but if he comes through them he will have more steam than ever. You have to think that before this race is over Mrs. Gail will come up with some shenanigans to make this race even more fun to watch.

Ike Skelton
Cash on Hand:$ N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $ N/A

Former Rep. Lisa Thomas
Cash on Hand: $42,142
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $42,142

Rep. Rudy Veit
Cash on Hand: $71,269
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $71,269

Councilman Derrick Spicer
Cash on Hand: $30,067
Spicer for Senate PAC
Cash on Hand: N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $30,067

#4 SD 18 R+25% Senator Cindy O’Laughlin is term limited.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LEAN GRAFF
There are big shoes to fill in the race for SD18. Rep. Greg Sharpe has a lot of the qualities you think of when you think of past Senators from northeast Missouri. He has a great profile and a great backstory to be a serious contender in the race.
Rep. Louis Riggs is not running.
Sarah Graff, who previously worked for Senators Blunt and Bond, is a newcomer to being on the ballot herself, but currently works for Congressman Sam Graves, and will likely have the might of Axiom behind her on their home turf. She is from Moberly which is one of the population centers of the district.
This race will likely be a toss up until one of the candidates starts raising money to out pace the others. Plus a Senator O’Laughlin endorsement would be a big get in this one.

Sarah Graff
Cash on Hand: N/A
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $N/A

Rep. Greg Sharpe
Cash on Hand: $26,412
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $26,412

#5 SD 28 R+24% Senator Sandy Crawford is term limited.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LIKELY POLLITT
Rep. Brad Pollitt starts out this race as the considerable front runner. The former superintendent of Sedalia schools and a cattle farmer, he has an extensive personal network around the district and the name ID from two high profile jobs. With 16.9% of the vote coming out of Pettis, 14.9% out of Henry and 11.2% Benton, Pollitt starts the race with high name ID in 43% of SD28. With that portion being in the much more expensive Kansas City media market is a huge advantage in the race.
As of now the only rumored candidate to oppose Pollitt is Dr. Sam Alexander. He is a physician who lives in Cedar County but works in Springfield. He ran for Congress with Billy Long retired and didn’t put out much of a campaign, but some say he could self fund an effort.
Unless there is another candidate from the northern end of the district Rep. Pollitt begins the race as the front runner.

Rep. Brad Pollitt
Cash on Hand: $67,054.59
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $67,054.59

Safest Republican incumbents seeking re-election
#1 SD 10 R+14% Senator Travis Fitzwater is seeking re-election.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Travis Fitzwater
Senator Fitzwater currently stands as the least likely Republican incumbent to face a serious primary or general election. He has done a good job of ingraining himself into the eastern side of the district and his stellar reputation in the Kingdom of Callaway means he would be very very tough to beat.
That combined with the legislative record he is piling up means he comes in as our incumbent least likely to face a tough primary, and in the 10th there are no general elections.
Cash on Hand: $156,113.85
Kingdom Leadership PAC
Cash on Hand: $66,379.45
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $222,493.30

#2 SD 2 R+16.5% Senator Nick Schroer is seeking re-election.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Nick Schroer
Senator Schroer would be nearly impossible to beat in a primary or a general election. However he throws some elbows and it’s possible that someone could choose to take him on. Either way there is little to no chance of it being a seriously contested race.
Cash on Hand: $58,801.61
1776 PAC
Cash on Hand: $138,855.52
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $197,657.13

#3 SD 12 R+19% Senator Rusty Black is seeking re-election.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Rusty Black
You could really take this list and organize them pretty much any way you’d like and be right. Senator Black is the GREAT Northwest. I can’t imagine that anyone would run against him, but if anyone does Axiom will never let them live it down.
Total Raised this Cycle: $155,846.37
Cash on Hand: $171,566.15
Great Northwest PAC
Cash on Hand: $34,232.72
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $205,798.90

#4 SD 20 R+21% Senator Curtis Trent is seeking re-election.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Curtis Trent
The biggest brain in the General Assembly is part of a new emerging leadership group in Springfield and will have no trouble being re-elected. The race in SD30 should distract anyone from stirring trouble in SD20, but don’t totally count out someone wanting more drama in Springfield.
Total Raised this Cycle: $71,323.38
Cash on Hand: $130,184.51
417 PAC
Cash on Hand: $224,105.45
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $354,290.96

#5 SD 26 R+15% Senator Ben Brown is seeking re-election.
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Ben Brown
Senator Brown is totally protected on his right flank, and very popular in Franklin County. He has earned a great reputation working with his colleagues and the chairman of the economic development committee will cruise to re-election.
Total Raised this Cycle: $196,068.09
Cash on Hand: $99,939.86
BB Freedom Fund
Cash on Hand: $87,091.15
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $187,031.01

#6 SD 24 D+8% Senator Tracy McCreery is seeking re-election.
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Tracy McCreery
Senator McCreery is beloved by St. Louis County Democrats, most of whom dream of her running for higher office. She is as unbeatable as anyone on the Democratic ballot in ‘26.
Total Raised this Cycle: $86,059.10
Cash on Hand: $78,558.22
Serve Missouri
Cash on Hand: $54,111.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $132,669.22

Seats not up for election until 2028
SD 1 D+8.08%
DOUG BECK
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Doug Beck *Term Limited*
Cash on Hand: $171,175.23
DougPAC
Cash on Hand: $33,898.78
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $205,074.01

SD3 R+35.8%
MIKE HENDERSON
GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Mike Henderson
Cash on Hand: $30,595.47
Leadbelt PAC
Cash on Hand: $20,815.01
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $51,410.48

SD 5 D+80.86%
STEVEN ROBERTS
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Steven Roberts *Term Limited*
Cash on Hand: $74,363.08
STL Democratic Coalition
Cash on Hand: $61,239.08
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $135,602.16

SD 7 D+17.74%
PATTY LEWIS
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Patty Lewis
Cash on Hand: $51,008.02
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $51,008.02

SD 9 D+62.8%
BARBARA WASHINGTON
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Barbara Washington *Term Limited*
Cash on Hand: $N/A
Eastside Forward PAC
Cash on Hand: $134,752.19
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $134,752.19

SD 11 R+4.06%
JOE NICOLA
GENERAL: LEAN REPUBLICAN
Sen. Joe Nicola
Cash on Hand: $13,384.17
Freedom and Liberty PAC
Cash on Hand: $13,031.90
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $26,380.07

SD 13 D+63.2%
ANGELA MOSLEY
GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Angela Mosley
Total Raised this Cycle: $110,344.21
Cash on Hand: $42,649.92
Mosley PAC
Cash on Hand: $7,298.90
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $49,948.82

SD 15 R+7.72%
DAVID GREGORY
GENERAL: LEAN REPUBLICAN
Sen. David Gregory
Cash on Hand: $430.21
Show Me Growth PAC
Cash on Hand: $11,522.01
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $11,952.22

SD 17 D+7.74%
MAGGIE NURRENBERN GENERAL: LEAN DEMOCRAT
Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern
Cash on Hand: $32,406.28
Northland Forward
Cash on Hand: $56,194.13
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $88,600.41

SD 19 D+13.38%
STEPHEN WEBBER GENERAL: SAFE DEMOCRAT
Sen. Stephen Webber
Total Raised this Cycle: $723,510.47
Cash on Hand: $444,893.07
Homefront PAC
Cash on Hand: $22,360.71
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $467,253.80

SD 21 R+26.44%
KURTIS GREGORY GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Kurtis Gregory
Cash on Hand: $135,045.66
The Wonderdog PAC
Cash on Hand: $149,832.68
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $284,878.30

SD 23 R+6.08%
ADAM SCHNELTING GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Adam Schnelting
Cash on Hand: $40,698.20
Protect Our Kids PAC
Cash on Hand: $9,790.23
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $50,488.43

SD 25 R+54.04%
JASON BEAN GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Jason Bean *Term Limited*
Cash on Hand: $141,364.44
Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri
Cash on Hand: $127,299.66
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $268,664.10

SD 27 R+48.44%
JAMIE BURGER GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Jamie Burger
Cash on Hand: $47,654.48
Bootheel Values PAC
Cash on Hand: $62,358.01
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $110,012.49

SD 29 R+54.04%
MIKE MOON GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Mike Moon *Term Limited*
Cash on Hand: $55,607.89
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $55,607.89

SD 31 R+29.09%
RICK BRATTIN GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Rick Brattin *Term Limited*
Cash on Hand: $6,739.97
True Patriot PAC
Cash on Hand: $35,997.64
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $42,737.61

SD 33 R+57.16%
BRAD HUDSON GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN
Sen. Brad Hudson
Cash on Hand: $116,142.46
Brad PAC
Cash on Hand: $53,391.55
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $169,534.01

The post ’26 State Senate Tipsheet appeared first on The Missouri Times.

The last few years in the Missouri Senate have seen much attention paid to those who can speak the loudest.  This is not shocking as in politics, the loudest personalities are often given the lion’s share of the attention by the media, the public, and others. National politics has a long history of these sorts of figures and Missouri politics, of course, is no different and the Missouri Senate has had its share of larger-than-life personalities.

There are those, however, who do not seek the limelight. Those who tend to be policy-minded and more concerned with the mission to enact meaningful reform. Those who would rather than enhance their public ID with grandiose speeches or controversial statements, are happier to keep their eye on the job of governance. One senator in particular is keen on doing such a task.

Trent is one of those.

He came up the hard way, born and raised on a small farm in Douglas County, near Ava, Missouri. His family had a few cattle, a small garden, and, as he puts it, “the main crop was rock.” His father fixed refrigerators, his mother ran the books, and together they made things work.

“I guess we were probably pretty poor, but we didn’t know it,” Trent says. “We always had plenty to eat, and when you’re a kid, you don’t think about things like how the car is ten years old.”

His upbringing was steeped in faith. Every week, they went to the Church of Christ, and he still attends today. When he wasn’t working the farm or helping with the family business, he enjoyed reading.

“There wasn’t a lot to do for fun living out in the countryside, but the local library let you check out eight books a week. I always tried to finish them all before the next week,” he recalls. A love of reading and literature would eventually help shape his views on politics, economics, and philosophy.

While at Ava High School, Trent participated in speech, debate, and drama which would help to shape his skills in politics later on. Coincidentally, former State Senator Karla Eslinger, now Commissioner of DESE, served as the Superintendent for Ava when Trent attended High School.

After high school, he became the first in his family to graduate college, earning a political science degree from Missouri State with a history minor. But law school was calling.

St. Louis University was where he found his real passion: Constitutional law, especially free speech. About the same time he was finishing his education, a local businessman named Billy Long was running for Congress. Trent sent an email offering to volunteer. Next thing he knew, he was Long’s first full-time campaign staffer.

When Long won, Trent followed him to D.C. as his Deputy Chief of Staff, working on Missouri-centric issues and assisting with the Congressman’s work on the Energy and Commerce Committee. But Trent never planned to stay in Washington.

“I knew I didn’t want to stay in DC forever,” Trent said. “So I started looking for jobs practicing law back in Missouri and eventually found one dealing with Social Security Disability.”

He enjoyed practicing law and helping people with their legal problems, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity to return to public service. When the 133rd House District opened up due to term limits, he saw his shot. He won the seat in 2016.

“Being a state representative seemed like something that would fit the skills I had already developed,” Trent explains. “I had seen how government worked, or in most cases how it didn’t work, and thought I could provide a unique view on what the state can do to avoid making the same mistakes as the federal government.”

Trent served six years in the House when Senate District 20 opened up. He threw his hat in the ring and won the two-way primary and would go on to again replace Eric Burlison, who had chosen to run for Congress.

If you were to watch Senator Trent from the gallery, you would think he had been in the Senate for much longer than just two years. Putting aside his ability to put complex policy issues into something even a middle school student could understand, Senator Trent seems to be well-adjusted to the Senate’s style of deliberation and its process. While many former House members seem to have a difficult time adjusting to the debate, process, and customs of the Senate, Trent acts as if this were all second nature to him.

Three years in, Trent has already passed three bills and five amendments. In a legislature where gridlock is the norm, he’s moving pieces across the board.

When asked if he had a piece of legislation he would like to see pass during his career, he stated “Repealing the income tax is one of the long-term goals I’d like to see get done. I think few things can change the trajectory of the state more than that because it unlocks the potential of the individual. If you tax something you get less of it and if you tax people’s productivity, their income, then you are going to get less productivity.”

Trent has the potential to go much further than the Missouri State Senate. By the end of his first term, he will be one of the most successful Senators in state government and if granted a second term, well then the sky’s the limit.

He doesn’t have to be the loudest guy in the room when his actions speak volumes. If you’re watching Missouri politics in 2025 and 2026, keep an eye on Senator Curtis Trent.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

themissouritimes.com

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The State Board of Education is scheduled to meet tomorrow in Jefferson City and her appointment will be discussed with an anticipated announcement after.

Eslinger would be replacing retiring Commissioner Margie Van Deven who has announced she was leaving the post in July. The timing would allow Eslinger to complete the upcoming legislative session that ends in May.

The Department has been in a recurring state of upheaval since the Covid pandemic closed public schools in 2020 with several state leaders including Senate Majority Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin calling for her resignation.

Eslinger is a former school superintendent in southern Missouri who was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2018, and the State Senate in 2024.

She is currently being challenged in the primary by Rep. Brad Hudson, and several sources confirm that Rep Travis Smith will now enter the primary to replace Eslinger.

Brady Hays

Brady Hays is a 2023 graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History. He is currently attending the University of Missouri School of Law and is on pace to graduate with his JD in 2026. He has been working for the Missouri Times since early March 0f 2022.

themissouritimes.com%20

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Whatever happens in the next 23 hours this session has been an extraordinarily successful one for Senate leadership. However, they were put in a challenging position beginning last Thursday When Senator Brattin used the budget deadline to demand his bill that would prohibit Cass Countians from selling their land for a landfill.

Senators Rizzo and Rowden reached out to Kansas City Mayor Quentin Lucas for some help and together they gave Senator Brattin a year-long reprieve to try to kill the landfill and that was enough to allow them to move forward.

However, the next morning Senators Hoskins and Eigel demanded millions of dollars in spending for projects in their districts in order to allow the budget to be passed by the constitutional deadline. Along with Senator Brattin’s money for a study of the landfill site. In a bit of comedy Senator Eigel still didn’t vote for the budget bill with his spending in it.

Now to be fair, there was a good amount of grumbling about paying this ransom for what actually was a train robbery, but in all honesty what was leadership supposed to do? Not pass the budget on time? I suppose you could, but at that point it seemed like if they were bluffing it was a good one. The truth is there really wasn’t much they could do except give them their pork barrel spending and listen to them complain that the budget is too big.

However, kudos to Senator Eigel who has identified what has been wrong with St. Charles folks this whole time, it’s been the drinking water! Fortunately the state budget includes millions to fix it. And this whole time I thought it was the Starbucks.

Senator Moon was not in the senate last week to witness these scenes play out as his father is very ill, but when he returned Monday it was his turn to demand that he get what he wants or there will be no state senate. He completely stopped the senate Monday and Tuesday over the house not passing his bills.

After the house passed a couple of his bills Wednesday morning a new tactic was begun of analyzing every provision of an omnibus bill, but ultimately allowing them to pass. This morning the senate began in pretty normal form. Honestly, I don’t think you could even call it a filibuster as it was simply senators scrutinizing the larger bills in a similar fashion to how Senator Hoskins was doing a few years ago when he found a provision no one else had seen.

However, that lasted until mid afternoon when Senator Eigel took to the floor and said there was not going to be any sportsbook legislation passed regardless of any deals. He stated that unless his property tax bill was taken up and passed that there would be no other legislation passed and session was effectively over. This wasn’t scrutinizing bills, this wasn’t a slowdown, this was a full stop filibuster.

Now, most are skeptical that he is really all that opposed to sportsbook, and literally no one has ever cared about what is in a party platform, it could be that he is deflecting attention away from Senator Hoskins who has up till now been chiefly blamed for the bill’s failure. It is probably more a message to house who has the chief sportsbook proponents that even if they strike a deal he is still going to hold it hostage until he gets what he wants.

In reality the house and senate leadership are trying to play Hoskins and Eigel against each other. Personally I think there close to zero chance that it works. They will just let it all die while they read the platform on the floor. It would be funny if they took the Arkansas GOP or the Iowa GOP platform and read it. I think it might take a couple of hours before anyone noticed.

For senate leadership they have a long list of accomplishments to tout, and five months of the most effective state senate in half a decade in the books with the last two weeks reminding most folks of the problems of the past.

Regardless of whatever the senators demands are in 23 hours the most held hostage piece of legislation sports book is either gonna pass, or if not the hostage is free and the people of Missouri will see Patrick Mahomes on TV asking them to cast a vote to help him win a Super Bowl…I think they will help him out.

Further in one year and 23 hours the bad blood from the most emotional senate leadership race loss of all time will be gone. In fact if you see Senator Bernskoetter buy him a beer for how classy he has carried himself this session.

Make sure to catch up on all of the final weeks Midweek updates using the links below.

Monday, special guest Representative Brad Pollitt.

Tuesday, special guest, Representative Jamie Burger.

Wednesday, special guest Senator Mike Moon.

Thursday, special guest Senator Lincoln Hough.

Friday, special guest, Senator Denny Hoskins and Senator Bill Eigel.

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

The post TWMP Column: The Senate finally stops appeared first on The Missouri Times.

5:00 Hour

Sen. Moon and Sen. Brattin continued their inquiry. Sen. Hoskins spoke on the motion. Sen. Fitzwater also spoke on the motion.

President Pro Tem Rowden inquired Majority Floor Leader O’Laughlin.

Sen. May requested a point of privilege to honor Majority Floor Leader O’Laughlin.

The senate adjourned at just before 6:00 p.m.

4:00 Hour

Sen. Moon and Sen. Brattin continued their inquiry.

3:00 Hour

The Senate gaveled in at 3:30 P.M.

Senator Moon offered an amendment, SA #1, to the senate journal and moved for its adoption. The amendment was to have the Senate adjourn saying the Senate “failed”. Senator Moon requested a roll call vote but did not have enough member standing, so then motioned for a standing division. Senator Brattin then inquired Senator Moon about the amendment.

The Senate reconvened shortly before 11:00 A.M.

10:00 Hour

Senator Eigel motioned for a substitute motion on Senator Trent’s bill, SB 275, but was not recognized, until much yelling and distress. Senator Rowden finally recognized him after Senator Trent made the motion to bring SB 275 to the floor, which caused Senator Hoskins, Moon, and Carter to announce that they too heard Eigel’s repeated attempts to be recognized.

Senator Eigel then called another point of order, to read out the rules of the Senate. He then asked that the point of order be well taken, and be finally recognized to make a substitute motion.

The point of order was well taken, which led Senator Eigel to make his substitute motion, and made a motion to tale SB 540 up for third reading and final passage.

Senator O’Laughlin then moved to have to amendments added to the substitute motion, and asked to take a roll call vote for SB 92 instead.

Senator Eigel then asked to speak on the bill which, in which he gave a heated recap of all the events that have taken place so far.

Senator Trent then spoke about his bill, SB 275, again to make sure everyone was aware that his bill was also about tax cuts, while noting that the Senate should not kill other tax cuts just because not all tax cuts will pass.

Senator O’Laughlin then made some remarks about the “political theatre” that has been shown today, and noted that as floor leader it is her job to make sure that there is not chaos in the Senate and things get done. She then noted that “we are all not running for governor” and that is is her job to make sure the Senate is civil and responsible for the citizens of Missouri.

Senator O’Laughlin’s amendment went into a roll call vote, and passed 26-8.

Senator Trent then brought SB 275 up for third reding and final passage.

11:00 Hour

Senator Eigel then took the floor to passionately talk about the “political theatre” that was brought up earlier by Senator O’Laughlin, while noting that everyone on the Senate floor has been apart of the “political theatre”. He then noted that the chamber is facing a defining moment and they have an opportunity to fight even if it “ruffles the feathers of some snowflakes” in the chamber.

Senator Eigel then attempted to filibuster, but Senator O’Laughlin was recognized for a point of personal privilege to speak on the issue of a personal property tax cut, along with remarks to Senator Eigel’s fiery speech, noting that “the Senator from the 23rd is my friend, or he was, but we all just want the Senate to function responsibly”.

Senator Eigel then inquired Senator Moon to speak about the morning’s event.

Senator O’laughlin then moved that the Senate stands adjourned until 3:00 P.M., which passed.

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In her letter to Gov. Mike Parson, Gardner expressed that she had “a heavy heart but steadfast resolve.” She also stated that she had made tremendous strides in “redefining public safety.” I guess that is true, if you consider trying to take out a sitting governor and letting criminals run the streets of St. Louis as “redefining.”

Her staff of prosecutors, likely embarrassed by the office’s abysmal record, had nearly all left. While Rome burned, Gardner took up taking classes to become a nurse. That seems almost too ridiculous to be true.

It is important to remember, though, that Gardner was elected (and re-elected) by the citizens of St. Louis. Good, bad or indifferent – we get the government that we ask for and deserve. I’m hopeful that the folks that have decided to remain in the City of St. Louis, despite the rampant crime, will choose more wisely when it is time to elect a new prosecutor.

With Gardner gone, it is time for St. Louis and the State of Missouri to move on.

There are plenty of economic opportunities in the St. Louis region, but the entire state needs more able-bodied people to take on jobs; we also need a trained workforce. If you grow up in a community with little opportunities besides being a part of some criminal element, then there’s little to no opportunity for outcomes beyond crime and death.

St. Louis needs to clean up its act in many ways. It starts with reducing crime. We are also working to improve our schools statewide and there’s no better place to start than in St. Louis. The costs of crime and an unskilled workforce is costing the entire state in many ways.

This legislative session we have considered many proposals to remove Gardner. We have also considered taking over the control of the St. Louis police force. Fairly unique to Missouri, St. Louis’ police force was controlled by a state board until recently. Now, some politicians are considering bringing the governance of the St. Louis police away from St. Louis and back to Jefferson City. I think the new police chief needs a chance to make the system work before we intervene.

At some point, St. Louis is going to have to right its own ship. Inserting Jefferson City politics into the control of their police force is not a next step. With Gardner gone, we stand ready to help St. Louis get on the right track and succeed as one of our major economic drivers.

Senator Cindy O’Laughlin

Cindy O’Laughlin is the Missouri state senator representing District 18.

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They were also joined by Reps. Mazzie Boyd, Brad Hudson, Justin Sparks.

Both Cole and Hein spoke about their own personal experiences receiving gender-related surgeries as a minor.

Cole discussed her regrets after receiving transgender treatment in California.

Hein stated it was the responsibility to protect children and keep them safe. “The medical system has failed us. You never hear the side of kids who were affected by this and came out harmed.

Hein encouraged parents to instead of reflexively going to transgender therapies, to look at all of the reasons causing gender dysmorphia. “Instead of leaving me whole and allowing me to grow, I was medicalized, mutilated, and possibly sterilized. I needed actual help not plastic surgery or hormones and I was never given that chance.”

Neither Hein nor Cole received treatment in Missouri.

If SB 49, was signed into law, it would prevent physicians from giving certain gender-affirming care, such as surgery or hormone therapy.

A similar bill in Arkansas was passed but ended up being blocked by the U.S. District Court. Detractors of SB 49 believe it will suffer the same fate if passed.

“We need to pay attention to what we are really pushing and advocating for,” Moon said.

There may be wider ramifications stemming from SB 49 and the ongoing controversy at Washington University.

Senator Moon has already called for a senate investigative committee. When asked about the status of that committee Senator Moon responded that “I have asked, and have been told that it’s not at this time the desire of leadership to form a committee, but maybe in the future we can explore other avenues to perform an investigation.”

Washington University which runs the controversial Washington University Transgender Center is also the sponsor of one of the largest charter schools in the state and could receive a large increase in scope and funding by bills being advanced by the senate education committee.

Senator Hoskins was asked if after seeing the latest controversies he would consider sending his child to a charter school. He replied, “no”. When asked if anyone in Warrensburg would currently send their child to a charter school run by Wash U he replied, “no”.

Senator Moon was asked if he was now willing to back the scope and funding increases for Wash U being promoted by the senate education committee.

“Absolutely not. In fact, I have supported and filed a measure in the last three years now to tax their endowments until they stop these atrocities, from training abortion doctors to harvest organs and sell them for experimentation and this is another one. I am going to add it to the bill. And I am going to up the tax,” said Moon. “Now I do not know if we have the backbone to get it done collectively, I don’t care. This is something that needs to be front and center. Washington U is portraying evil onto children. And we are paying for it. So we gotta stop it.”

In response to a reporter’s question on the suspicious timing of the investigation of the Washington University whistleblower, with tears welling in his eyes, Senator Moon gave a lengthy explanation of his belief in the timing.

“I am going to say something that may not sit well with some, but you probably know my beliefs and my worldview. I was frustrated to no end over the last four or five weeks when this bill had not been referred to committee yet. And I didn’t know why except I knew that there was opposition. And I knew there were some conversations that were had on both sides of the issue,” said Moon.

“When this revelation came out by the whistleblower Jamie Reed on Thursday, I really didn’t put two and two together. The bill then was assigned for a hearing for Tuesday and I woke up Saturday morning, Knowing that it was going to be heard and the Lord that I serve put the thought in my mind that ‘See, don’t worry about this, because my timing is perfect’. Had we had this bill heard 3, 4, or 5 weeks ago, we might not have been having the same conversation and it might not have carried the same weight but I am telling you, folks, we have an intelligent designer. That created this world and of course, There is an evil-doer who is seeking to kill and destroy us and our children. If we follow the lead of God, the heavenly creator, the designer of us, then we will be in good shape. So I am just telling you that the timing could not have been more perfect, leave it in the Lord’s hands and we will be in good shape.”

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Empower Missouri is a nonprofit statewide anti-poverty advocacy organization. Recently they have been campaigning for record expungement reform for eligible people.

Rep. Phil Christofanelli and Sen-Elect. Curtis Trent sponsored legislation centered around automatic record expungement discussed at the press conference.

The proposed legislation would automatically wipe away misdemeanor convictions after three years and felony convictions after five years, assuming the felony is eligible.

While many people are eligible for expungement of their record, most miss out on the opportunity since the only way to do it is through a court petition. A court petition is a very lengthy, complicated and potentially expensive process according to Christofanelli

“Under Missouri law, if you want to get expunged right now, you have to go through essentially a court petition and that costs a lot of money and a lot of time and so that’s why we are only seeing 1% of people utilize these services,” Christofanelli stated.

Christofanelli talked about his experience with the process through his own practice, which he stated could cost thousands each time if his firm did not do it pro bono.

He also went more in depth about the specifics of the proposed legislation, including its portal and notification process.

“I think this is a common sense bill to let people take advantage of the rights we afford them under the law without exuberant costs”.

Trent spoke about the benefits of the automatic expungement, which would include better access to housing and employment opportunities. He also mentioned how other states already have laws similar to this legislation.

“Once people pay their debt to society, they should have an opportunity to start over. They should have a clean slate. That is what this legislation is intending to do,” said Trent.

Besides the lawmakers themselves, the conference included a variety of speakers from around the state. This included Greg Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers and Crista Hogan, Executive Director of the Springfield Metropolitan
Bar Association.

Both speakers reiterated the struggles convicted people face with housing, employment and other areas of their life, as well as how complicated and expensive the court petition process continues to be. Hogan specifically talked about the extremely low number of people that are actually successful in seeking a court petition and how an automatic process would certainly help people.

The bill has been prefiled in both chambers. Its future will remain uncertain as the start of the session nears, but Trent and Christofanelli are confident that it will survive.

Kelton Turner

Kelton is a 2023 graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. He is a native of mid-Missouri and likes to write politics at both the state and federal levels. Kelton joined the Missouri Times in April 2022

www.themissouritimes.com

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