Friday, April 27, 2012
Represenative Russ Carnahan gets a notable endorsement in his bid against Representative Lacy Clay.
Reps. Russ Carnahan and Lacy Clay each snagged labor endorsements in their bids to stay in Congress. The two St. Louis City Democrats are both running in the 1st Congressional District, an area that encompasses all of St. Louis City and portions of north St. Louis County. It’s a race that’s expected to be quite heated, as evidenced by the barbs traded between the two on the first day of filing. A few weeks ago Clay received an endorsement from the Missouri branch of the AFL-CIO, one of the largest labor unions in the state. This week, Carnahan nabbed endorsements from firefighters unions that encompass St. Louis City and St. Louis County. It’s not that surprising because the St. Louis City union commended Carnahan for his work retrieving …
Friday, March 30, 2012
Some candidates withdrew, while other incumbents, including Creve Coeur State Rep. Jill Schupp, will go unopposed.
Now that the filing period to sign up for state legislative races is over, things are beginning to be a little clearer about what’s to come during the impending election cycle. Locally the main event will most likely be the 1st Congressional District race that features Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-St. Louis City) and Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis City). Barring a Missouri Supreme Court ruling that chucks the redistricted congressional map, both candidates remain on the ballot to run in the district that includes all of St. Louis City and a portion of St. Louis County. The battle between Clay and Carnahan is one notable primary set to occur during the 2012 election cycle. There is, after all, a dizzying eight-way Democratic race for lieutenant governor…
Friday, March 2, 2012
Plus: A take on William Clay against Russ Carnahan, and a look ahead to St. Louis County Lincoln Days.
The kickoff of Missouri’s biennial filing day is often littered with surprises. But this year’s iteration may have taken the cake. Obviously, the biggest news is U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan’s decision to run in the 1stCongressional District. The St. Louis City Democrat had considered running in the GOP-leaning 2nd Congressional District, which now includes Creve Coeur after redistricting, but instead decided to enter into a race that will have him battling U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis City). That race will be closely watched, since the district that encompasses all of St. Louis City and some of St. Louis County has a heavy Democratic lean. In essence, winning the Democratic primary is tantamount to election. An auxiliary effect of Carnahan…
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Reactions to big speeches by chief executives are relatively predictable.
Whether it’s Missouri’s State of the State or the United States' State of Union, a chief executive’s speech to a legislative body typically makes reporters’ inboxes balloon. And it’s not just because Harry & David’s sends an unusually large amount emails advertising its latest delicious sale. Rather, lawmakers tend to enjoy providing snap reactions to high-profile events. That was certainly the case earlier this month when Gov. Jay Nixon gave his State of the State address. And it was also what happened when President Barack Obama’s State of the Union delivered his State of the Union earlier this week, which took place as the race for the Republican presidential nomination continues to gather more and more attention. And the responses to …
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Kirkwood Republican plans an event explaining the state's road map to selecting GOP presidential delegates.
As noted numerous times before, the GOP process for selecting presidential delegates is not exactly straightforward. Even though there’s a primary in February, as of now, delegates will be selected at caucuses held in March. In attempt to sort the situation out for area Republicans, Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) is planning a “Presidential Primary Preview” at Westminster Christian Academy in Town and Country. The event will feature an explanation of the state’s presidential delegate situation by Missouri Republican Party political director Robert Knodell. In addition to a straw poll and presentations from presidential campaigns, the evening will also feature analysis from political science professor Rick Hardy. Hardy, who used to teach at …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Plus: Sommer wins recount, Clay-Carnahan examined and pols get in Christmas spirit.
House Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller—a Willard Republican running for secretary of state—will be holding a fundraising event next Thursday in Town and Country. The event at the Cedar Springs Clubhouse will be hosted by Rep. Sue Allen (R-Town and Country). In addition to a slew of Republican state representatives, the event will also feature House Majority Leader Tim Jones (R-Eureka) and Sen. Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis County). Jones is expected to become the next House Speaker if Republicans retain control on that chamber next year. Schoeller is in a crowded race to replace Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton) and Sen. Scott Rupp (R-Wentzville) are running for the GOP nomination, while Rep. Jason Kander…
Saturday, November 26, 2011
CNN special looks into the redrawing of congressional lines.
Every ten years, the truly dedicated political adherents become obsessed with maps. That fixation isn’t necessarily because they agree with this writer that cartography is awesome. Rather every ten years, states have to reconfigure their congressional maps to conform to population changes showcased in the U.S. Census. And often times, the process isn’t exactly neat and tidy. The redistricting process was the subject of a CNN special earlier this week entitled “Gerry-rigged: Ignoring the American Voter.” The report took a close look at “gerrymandering,” which involves drawing districts that can effectively protect a certain party or an incumbent lawmaker. CNN looked at a number of different states’ view to the redistricting process, …
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monday night's debate in O'Fallon is hosted by the Lewis and Clark Pachyderms of Western St. Charles County.
Ann Wagner and Ed Martin, Republican candidates for the U.S. Representative 2nd District, will debate at 6 p.m. Monday at Culpepper's in O'Fallon. The debate will be blogged live by Patch Editor Joe Scott and Brian Flinchpaugh. The Lewis and Clark Pachyderms of Western St. Charles County host the event. Those wishing to read the live Patch blog can log on to ofallon.patch.com at 6 p.m. and the event should start shortly afterwards. There will be opportunity for readers to comment live. The commentators will post any appropriate comments. Previous debates have focused on health care, the federal budget deficit, private and public sector unions, immigration and Social Security. Wagner and Martin are seeking the seat that U.S. Rep. Todd Akin …
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Amid questions about whether the primary will amount to anything, supporters of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney threw his name into contest.
Candidate filing began this week for the state’s presidential primary amid questions about whether the contest will have any bearing on choosing presidential delegates. As of press time, four Republican presidential aspirants have signed up for next February’s contest. That list includes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Georgia businessman Herman Cain, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and St. Louis resident Michael Meheen. Republicans opted to select their delegates through a caucus process after the legislature failed to pass legislation moving the primary from February to March. Such a move was necessary to avoid running afoul of party rules. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has been a strong supporter of keeping the primary …
Rahib
4:09 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Candice, there is no SS trust fund. The gov't is a cash-flow business. More money is flowing out than in, so there is no freaking fund. Please stop saying there is. more ›