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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
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Attorney General candidate Chris Koster* landed another big union endorsement this week. The former Republican who is now seeking the Democratic nomination for A.G. has picked up the support of the 4,000-member Springfield Building and Construction Trades Council.
"Senator Koster has shown that his commitment to organized labor is unwavering and no one knows as well as building and construction trades unions in our state of Missouri how important it is to have a strong Attorney General who will fight for workers’ rights," said Jim Tyson, president of the organization.
The Springfield Building and Construction Trades Council is comprised of Boilermakers Local 83, Bricklayers Local 15, Carpenters Local 978, Ironworkers Local 10, Operating Engineers Local 101, Roofers Local 20, Painters Local 203, Electrical Workers Local 453, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 178, Sheet Metal Workers Local 336, Heat/Frost/Asbestos Workers, and Teamsters Local 245.
Koster's labor support is running very deep. The latest list of endorsers includes:
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters including Teamsters Local 6, Teamsters Local 41, Teamsters Local 245, Teamsters Local 541, Teamsters Local 600, Teamsters Local 604, Teamsters Local 610, Teamsters Local 618, Teamsters Local 682, Teamsters Local 688, Teamsters Local 823, Teamsters Local 833, Teamsters Local 838, Teamsters Local 955; the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters including IAFF Local L3122, IAFF Local L3739, IAFF Local L1084, IAFF Local 3133, IAFF Local L2460, IAFF Local L2743, IAFF Local L2945, IAFF Local L3228, IAFF Local L1786, IAFF Local L1211, IAFF Local L0671, IAFF Local L2618, IAFF Local L0042, IAFF Local L3808, IAFF Local L2952, IAFF Local L3987, IAFF Local L2195, IAFF Local L1889, IAFF Local L2184, IAFF Local L3031, IAFF Local L1030, IAFF Local L2543, IAFF Local L2665, IAFF Local L2921, IAFF Local L2001, IAFF Local L1730, IAFF Local 3905, IAFF Local 0757, IAFF Local L3410, IAFF Local L3705, IAFF Local 0077, IAFF Local 3112, IAFF Local L2677, IAFF Local L3904, IAFF Local L0152, IAFF Local L0073, IAFF Local L3769, IAFF Local L3923, IAFF Local L4026, the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, Bricklayers #15, Electricians #124, Heat & Frost Insulators #27, Roofers #20, Operating Engineers #101, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287, Carpenters' District Council of Kansas City and Vicinity, which is comprised of the Lathers #27-L, Carpenters #55, Carpenters #61, Carpenters #106, Carpenters #110, Carpenters #168, Carpenters #201, Carpenters #244, Carpenters #311, Carpenters #444, Carpenters #510, Carpenters #515, Carpenters #714, Carpenters #777, Carpenters #918, Carpenters #945, Carpenters #948, Carpenters #978, Carpenters #1055, Floorlayers #1181, Carpenters #1329, Carpenters #1445, Millwright #1463, Millwright #1529, Cabinetmakers #1635, Carpenters #1904, Millwright #2834, Service Employees International Union Local 2000, and the Fraternal Order of Police, Missouri State Lodge.
*Koster is a client of A D French & Associates (website design)
Former state rep. Nathan Cooper was sentenced to 15 months in a federal prison.
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has approved for circulation a petition drive to get on the 2008 ballot a measure to ban most abortions in the state.
Attorney General candidate Chris Koster* picked up the endorsement of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police.
Democrat Mike Evans dropped out of the race for lieutenant governor, leaving the nomination open for State Rep. Sam Page.
Attorney General candidate Chris Koster announced that the campaign has hired Democratic strategist Nick Baldick to serve as general consultant.
From the press release:
Baldick, the President and founder of the consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions, previously served as John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign manager, State Director for Vice President Al Gore's winning New Hampshire primary effort, and State Director of Clinton-Gore 96's successful effort to win Florida for the first time in 20 years. He also served for 5 years as a principal at Dewey Square, where he enacted grassroots and public affairs strategies. Baldick will advise the campaign as it staffs up for the August 2008 primary.
"Nick's experience as one of the national Democratic Party's top strategists will be a great asset to our campaign," Koster said. "With his guidance, Missourians for Koster will build a statewide organization and continue to build momentum in the race for Attorney General."
Along with the hiring of Baldick, the campaign announced the departure of Elisabeth Smith, who is leaving to serve as the communications director on a top-tier Midwestern congressional race.
Attorney General Jay Nixon, Democratic candidate for governor, has notified the Missouri Ethics Commission that he plans to return over-limit contributions to his campaign.
Attorney General candidate Chris Koster also notified the Commission that his campaign will also begin the process.
From the Nixon campaign:
"The campaign will return contributions received in excess of the newly reinstated limits in accordance with the Court’s ruling," wrote campaign manager Ken Morley in a letter to the MEC. "We believe that if a candidate has sufficient cash on hand, then returning excess contributions in order to be compliant with the law is not a hardship. We therefore believe that circumstances do not exist under which a candidate for Governor could in good faith request, or that the Ethics Commission could conceivably grant, a hardship in this instance."
From the Koster campaign:
"Today, Missourians for Koster notified the Missouri Ethics Commission that they intend to begin the process of returning contributions from individuals in excess of current contribution limits."
Donnelly Threatens Action Against Ethics Commission Over Closed Hearings
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Monday, November 26, 2007 at 3:48 PM
State Rep. Margaret Donnelly, a candidate for Attorney General, is threatening legal action against the Missouri Ethics Commission over its plans to hold closed hearings to determine which campaigns would face "hardships" by being forced to return large campaign contributions.
"The people of Missouri are fed up with government behind closed doors," said Donnelly. "If the Missouri Ethics Commission goes forward with its plans for closed hardship hearings, I will file suit and ask the courts to force them into compliance."
The Missouri Ethics Commission notified candidates that they must respond to the commission by November 26 if they have returned or are planning to return over-the-limit contributions. Candidates wanting to keep over-the-limit contributions must respond by December 3. Donnelly returned over-the-limit contributions last quarter, leaving her campaign with considerably less cash on-hand than her Democratic opponents.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has thrown its support to State Rep. Jeff Harris for Attorney General.
"Throughout my career, I have been honored to stand with organized labor on behalf of the working men and women of Missouri," said Harris in a statement. "As the Democratic Leader in the Missouri House, I am proud to have fought against the Republican agenda pushed by Matt Blunt that has rolled back protections for Missouri's working families."
"When Republican special interests sued the state to get Governor Holden's collective bargaining executive order rescinded, Jay Nixon turned to me as assistant attorney general to handle that case. I successfully defended that executive order in court and would do so again as attorney general."
Harris has previously been endorsed by the Sheet Metal Workers, Operating Engineers Local 513 and Operating Engineers Local 148.
The Service Employees International Union, Local 2000 will be endorsing Chris Koster's campaign for Attorney General.
Koster finally formally announced his bid for AG yesterday in Harrisonville, MO. He held another announcement today in Independence. And late yesterday, a third stop was added to his cross-state announcement tour — St. Louis City — or more specifically, the headquarters of SEIU Local 2000. That press event is scheduled for Monday at 10:30 AM.
PubDef.net is scheduling interviews with all four announced Attorney General candidates. Check back next week for our interviews with Senators Mike Gibbons (R) and Chris Koster (D), and State Reps Jeff Harris (D) and Margaret Donnelly (D).
Sources tell PubDef.net that State Senator Chris Koster is going to make it official this week. Koster, who rocked the state's political scene when he switched from the Republican Party to become a Democrat back in August, announced today yet another labor endorsement for his still-unofficial bid for Attorney General.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local #1287, comprised mostly of Kansas City Area Transportation Authority workers, announced today they are supporting Koster for AG.
The Koster campaign was careful to remind the press in their release this morning that Koster now has the most labor endorsements and money of any of his opponents. But Koster's opponents in the Democratic primary have targeted his campaign coffers — and one contributor, in particular — to discredit Koster's independence.
The campaigns of both Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly have issued statements attacking millionaire Rex Sinquefield for his contributions to Koster. Sinquefield, a businessman and pro-school choice, pro-free market activist, has made no secrets about using his wealth and influence to change Missouri's political landscape. In recent years, he has donated millions to candidates from both sides of the aisle who support one or more of his ideas about education and business.
Last week, the Harris campaign produced the following video mocking Sinquefield's contributions to Koster:
According to the latest campaign finance reports, Koster has more cash on-hand than all three of his opponents — Democrat and Republican — combined.
Everyone knows the way to an alderman's heart is through their stomach. So when the city's legislative body meets this morning, breakfast will be provided by none other than Attorney General candidate Jeff Harris.
If he follows the usual menu, Harris, a Democratic state representative from Columbia, will be wining and dining aldermen, reporters and visitors on a spread of coffee (caff and decaf) and donuts. Or if he really splurges, bagels and pastries from the St. Louis Bread Company.
UPDATE: He splurged. Bagels, coffee — and orange juice! — from Bread Co.
At a fundraiser last week at McGurk's bar in south St. Louis, Attorney General candidate Chris Koster* discussed the need for stem cell research and what the science could mean to people like his friend, State Sen. Chuck Graham.
State Representative Margaret Donnelly is receiving support from some pretty well-known women in her fight for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.
ST. LOUIS – The Donnelly Campaign today announced the endorsement of several prominent women in the Missouri Democratic Party. Former State Treasurer Nancy Farmer, Former Secretary of State Bekki Cook, Former Democratic Party State Chair May Scheve and Former St. Louis City Prosecuting Attorney Dee Joyce Hayes jointly declared their support of Donnelly for Attorney General.
“Margaret has had an incredible and distinguished career as a lawyer and public servant," said Bekki Cook. “She is the most qualified and best prepared to be the ‘People’s Lawyer’.”
"Margaret will make a great Attorney General and is in the best position to win,” added Nancy Farmer. Farmer won the 2000 Democratic primary for state treasurer in a three way race and went on to win the general election.
"Margaret Donnelly and her over 20 years of experience in family law dealing with tough and gut wrenching juvenile cases have prepared her to be the state’s lawyer,” said Dee Joyce Hayes. “Margaret is a tough no nonsense lawyer who is ready to step in to the job of Attorney General on day one.”
“Nancy Farmer, Bekki Cook, May Scheve and Dee Joyce Hayes are some of the most influential women in the Democratic Party. Their knowledge and ability to win races across the state down to the local level will be an instrumental part in ensuring my victory in both the primary and general election,” commented Donnelly.
So far, the only announced certain candidates for Attorney General are Democrats. State Rep. Jeff Harris and new Democrat State Senator Chris Koster* are the other two. On the Republican side, U.S. Attorney and former Speaker of the Missouri House Catherine Hanaway is expected to run, as may Senate Pro Tem Michael Gibbons.
*Client of A D French & Associates (website design)
Democratic Attorney General candidate Jeff Harris announced the support of another labor union today. Here's the press release:
Columbia -- House Democratic Leader and Democratic candidate for Attorney General Jeff Harris continues to gain support with organized labor picking up the endorsement of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 148.
Don Giljum, Business Manager for Local 148, said today that, “Jeff Harris is our choice for Attorney General because he has been there on the issues important to labor and the working families of this state. In the legislature, Jeff has consistently stood up in opposition to the Republican majority, fighting for health care, education access and funding, and for an increase in the minimum wage. Working families in Missouri will be well-served by Jeff Harris as Attorney General.”
"It has been my privilege to stand with organized labor on behalf of the working men and women of this state,” Harris said. “I am proud to have the members of Operating Engineers Local 148 standing with me and supporting my candidacy for Attorney General.”
As Attorney General, Harris has vowed to aggressively enforce minimum wage and prevailing wage laws to ensure that hard-working Missourians are fairly compensated for the work they do.
Local 148 represents an estimated 3,000 skilled plant personnel at Ameren UE, other industrial power plants, mechanical service contractors, and in the public sector, which includes MODOT.
Attorney General candidate Jeff Harris today picked up the support of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36.
From the press release:
David Zimmerman, President and Business Manager for Local 36, said today that, “Jeff Harris is our choice for Attorney General because he has always been there on the issues important to the working people of this state. Jeff has stood up and fought for what’s important and we have no doubt he’ll do the same as our next Attorney General. Working families should rally around Harris. We are proud to endorse him." "It has been my privilege to stand with organized labor on behalf of the working men and women of this state,” Harris said. “Today, I am proud to have the members of Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 36 standing with me and supporting my candidacy for Attorney General.” As Attorney General, Harris has vowed to aggressively enforce minimum wage and prevailing wage laws to ensure that hard-working Missourians are fairly compensated for the work they do. Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 36 has over 3,000 members in eastern Missouri, including the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, Columbia, Jefferson City, and Springfield.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch has joined the Chris Koster bandwagon. The County's top law enforcer joins a long (and growing) list of endorsers of the Republican-turned-Democrat's bid for Attorney General.
From the press release:
"Chris Koster has been a true member of Missouri's law enforcement community," McCulloch said. "He has walked the crime scenes, examined the witnesses, and made closing arguments in big cases time after time. When it comes to street-level law enforcement, Koster has truly walked the walk."
McCulloch continued, "Koster was vice-president of the Missouri Association of Prosecutors when he joined the senate. Prosecutors throughout Missouri trust his leadership. It is critical that we have someone with his law enforcement background as Attorney General. I look forward to communicating with the citizens of the greater St. Louis area and telling them why Chris Koster will be a great Attorney General."
"I am honored to have the support of Bob McCulloch," Koster said. "Bob has been a leader in the law enforcement community both in Missouri and the nation for many years. Because of that, his endorsement today is especially close to my heart."
