Posted on 30 November 2007 by Antonio French
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.
Posted on 22 October 2007 by Antonio French
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.
*Koster is a client of A D French & Assoc (website design)
Posted on 07 September 2007 by Antonio French
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.â€
“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.â€
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.
Posted on 28 August 2007 by Antonio French
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.â€
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.
Posted on 16 August 2007 by Antonio French
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.”
