Politics & Government
Schlafly Law Under Review in Jefferson City
Plus, realignment of Missouri Senate district boundaries has again ruffled feathers, and Republican candidates for treasurer and governor have picked up supporters.
File this under “almost missed:” Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) filed a bill earlier this month to make St. Louis Brewery and Boulevard Brewing Company the state’s official breweries.
St. Louis Brewery, of course, is the purveyor of Schlafly beer. The company’s location is a hot spot in , while the Tap House is a fixture in St. Louis City.
The bill, by the way, was referred to the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee.
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State Senate boundary realignment ruffles feathers—again
The wee hours of Thursday morning brought about big changes for state Senate districts in St. Louis County. The tentative document—detailed in coverage from the St. Louis Beacon—means that Sen. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) is now in a district with Sen. Brian Nieves, (R-Washington). And districts represented by Sen. Jim Lembke (R-Lemay) and John Lamping (R-Ladue) also saw significant changes.
Find out what's happening in Maplewood-Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If this sounds familiar, that's because the map had to be redrawn after the original document was declared unconstitutional. More analysis will surely come over the next days and weeks. For now, the map is subject to a 15-day public comment period.
GOP candidates tout supporters: McNary for treasurer, Spence for governor
With the August primaries still on the horizon, a pair of statewide candidates are touting support from members of the Missouri Senate.
For instance, Rep. Cole McNary (R-Chesterfield) is touting support from a number of senators in his bid to unseat incumbent state Treasurer Clint Zweifel.
McNary announced endorsements from nine state senators. Notable St. Louis area lawmakers who endorsed his campaign include Lembke, Lamping and Nieves.
“My experience in cutting waste in government seems to be resonating with Republican leaders from all over Missouri,” McNary said in a statement. “It is no longer plausible to trust career politicians to shrink the size of government. We must have a treasurer that has a proven record of reducing the size and scope of government, and I thank my colleagues in the Missouri Senate for having faith in my ability to do just that.”
McNary, the son of former St. Louis County Executive Gene McNary, is so far the only Republican challenger for the state treasurer office. Zweifel, who previously represented north St. Louis County, has a sizable cash-on-hand advantage over McNary.
McNary is holding a fundraiser on March 7 at the Bogey Club in Ladue. Dave Spence, a Rebublican from Frontenac who is running for governor, is listed as one of the hosts along with former U.S. Sen. John Danforth and Bert Walker.
Meanwhile, Spence is out with a list of endorsements from the State Senate including Scott Rupp (R-Wentzville), Cunningham and Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale). He has also received support from Lamping.
In addition to Spence, Kansas City attorney Bill Randles is seeking to challenge Nixon. Associated Press reporter David Lieb noted that neither candidate got a particularly prominent spot at the party’s annual Lincoln Days gathering in Kansas City.
Endorsements aren't the be-all-end-all in statewide campaigns. But supportive lawmakers can help from an organizational—and fundraising—perspective.