Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission, for Senator Brad Lager (r) who is term limited:

C091011 03/14/2014 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER Smithfield Foods Inc P O Box 9004 Smithfield VA 23431 3/13/2014 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

He’s running for something:

C091011: Citizens For Brad Lager

15898 Hwy 71 Committee Type: Candidate

Savannah Mo 64485 Party Affiliation: Republican

[….] Established Date: 01/08/2009

  Termination Date:

[….]

Election History

Election Year Primary Outcome General Outcome Political Office

2016 Lieutenant Governor

[emphasis added]

And he’s checking it out:

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER [pdf] 1/14/2014

[….]

Axiom Strategies

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

11/4/2013

Poling survey $19,986.00

[….]

[emphasis added]

Did they ask, “If the candidates for Lieutenant Governor in 2016 were…?”

And we’re not even past the 2014 election cycle. What’s good for a 2016 gubernatorial campaign is good for a 2016 ieutenant governor campaign. Apparently.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C141049 02/13/2014 HEGEMAN FOR SENATE Citizens for Brad Lager 5920 NW 96th Terr Kansas City MO 64154 2/11/2014 $25,000.00

C141049 02/13/2014 HEGEMAN FOR SENATE Herzog Contracting Corp P O Box 1089 St Joseph MO 64502 2/11/2014 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

The list of active campaign committees for the 12th Senate District:

Committee Name Candidate Party Office Sought Status

CITIZENS FOR BOB NANCE BOB NANCE R STATE SENATOR – DISTRICT 12 A

CITIZENS FOR GUERNSEY CASEY GUERNSEY R STATE SENATOR – DISTRICT 12 A

CITIZENS FOR MIKE THOMSON MIKE THOMSON R STATE SENATOR – DISTRICT 12 A

DELUS JOHNSON FOR MISSOURI DELUS JOHNSON R STATE SENATOR – DISTRICT 12 A

HEGEMAN FOR SENATE DAN HEGEMAN R STATE SENATOR – DISTRICT 12 A

We do know that Casey Guernsey (r) has already dropped out of the race.

Today, in the Smithville Herald.

State representative to run for state Senate

Posted: Thursday, February 13, 2014 12:00 am

By Dave Hon

State Rep. Delus Johnson, who represents Missouri House District 9, has announced his candidacy for the Missouri Senate’s 12th District….

….Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, who currently holds the 12th District seat, is not eligible to seek re-election because of term limits. Johnson said he’s aware of one opponent he will face in the primary, Dan Hageman….

That would qualify as perfect timing.

It appears that Senator Brad Lager (r) is aware of Dan Hageman, too.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Oh, really? (June 13, 2013)

Oh, this is just too sweet:

Missouri Republicans are grumbling about former GOP speaker’s donation to Koster, a Democrat

June 13

By STEVE KRASKE

The Kansas City Star

….Republican state Sen. Brad Lager from northwest Missouri said Tilley’s move “underscores why we need ethics reform in Missouri.

“We have too many elected officials or previously elected officials who view government for how to advance themselves personally as opposed to having the public’s interests at heart,” Lager said.

Irony impairment.

Via the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091011 08/06/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER David Humphreys P O Box 4050 Joplin MO 64803 Tamko Owner 8/6/2012 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

C091011 07/02/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER Herzog Contracting Corp P O Box 1089 St Joseph MO 64502 6/30/2012 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

C091011 04/02/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER Sarah Atkins 4713 Rock Springs Rd Arlington VA 22207 Requested Requested 3/31/2012 $100,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s real chutzpah.

Or, if you prefer, the “Enhance the Churning Possibilities for the Right Wingnut Campaign Consultant Industrial Complex as They Get Millionaires and Billionaires to Drop Beaucoup Bucks on Statewide Campaigns for Right Wingnut Candidates Act” (Yeah, we know, it’s a resolution which, if approved by the voters, would change the Missouri Constitution).

Introduced yesterday:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19 [pdf]

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR LAGER.

Read 1st time February 11, 2013, and ordered printed.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

1569S.01I

JOINT RESOLUTION

Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment repealing section 17 of article IV of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section in lieu thereof relating to term limits for statewide elected officials.

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring therein:

That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2014, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article IV of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:

Section A. Section 17, article IV, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 17, to read as follows:

Section 17. The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer and attorney general shall be elected at the presidential elections for terms of four years each. The state auditor shall be elected for a term of two years at the general election in the year 1948, and his successors shall be elected for terms of four years. No person shall be elected governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, or treasurer more than twice, and no person who has held the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, or treasurer, or acted as governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, or treasurer, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected to the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, or treasurer shall be elected to the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, or treasurer more than once. The heads of all the executive departments shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. All appointive officers may be removed by the governor and shall possess the qualifications required by this constitution or by law.

[emphasis in original]

Senator Lager (r) ought to know.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091011 08/06/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER David Humphreys P O Box 4050 Joplin MO 64803 Tamko Owner 8/6/2012 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Somebody noticed:

Tony Messenger ‏@tonymess

Question for politicos: Who is more likely to quickly kiss and make up this week after painful primary loss: Clay/Carnahan or Kinder/Lager? 10:26 AM – 6 Aug 12

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Lt. Gov. – republican primary – 24 hour notice of late contributions (August 3, 2012)

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder (r): spending $300,000.00 could have made him look like a victim (August 2, 2012)

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder (r): standing on the corner, watching all the mail go by… (August 1, 2012)

At the Missouri Ethics Commission, from Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder’s (r) challenger in the primary:

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091011 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER [pdf]

Missouri American Water Employees PAC 727 Craig Rd St Louis, MO 63141 7/30/2012 [$]750.00

Friends for Munzlinger P O Box 65 Monticello, MO 63457 7/30/2012 [$]5,005.00

Sprint Nextel P O Box 63670 Phoenix, AZ 85082 7/30/2012 [$]2,500.00

James Ferrell 10601 Mission Rd Leawood, KS 66206 7/30/2012 [$]1,000.00

Lee Harris 3815 W 84th Terr Leawood, KS 66206 7/30/2012 [$]2,500.00

Nicholas Powell 6549 Wenonga Rd Mission Hills, KS 66208 7/30/2012 [$]2,500.00

[emphasis added]

And today:

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091011 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER [pdf]

Herzog Contracting Corp P O Box 1089 St Joseph, MO 64502 8/2/2012 [$]25,000.00

Jack Talley 14812 Dalea Dr Oklahoma City, OK 73142 8/2/2012 [$]750.00

James Moise 25 Twin Springs Lane St Louis, MO 63124 8/2/2012 [$]750.00

Hugh McKinnis 5359 Merriam Dr Merriam, KS 66208 8/2/2012 [$]750.00

Anheuser Busch One Busch Place St Louis, MO 63118 8/2/2012 [$]2,500.00

Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC 600 Corporate Park Drive St Louis, MO 63105 8/2/2012 [$]750.00

Lathrop & Gage LLP 2345 Grand Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108 8/2/2012 [$]2,500.00

Major Brands Inc PAC 6701 Southwest Ave St Louis, MO 63143 8/2/2012 [$]1,000.00

Anesthesia Associates of Kansas City PC 8717 W 110th St Suite 600 Overland Park, KS 66210 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

Phillip Scaglia 2903 SW 13th Terr Lees Summit, MO 64081 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

Steve Hood 4805 E FR 144 Springfield, MO 65809 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

[emphasis added]

Don’t they have republican candidates in Kansas and Oklahoma? Just asking.

From the 8 Day Before Primary Election report filed on July 30th:

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER [pdf] 7/30/2012

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100

Media Placement Technologies

336 Commerce St

Alexandria VA 22314

7/5/2012

TV Cable and Radio

advertising $268,471.25

Media Placement Technologies

336 Commerce Street

Alexandria VA 22314

7/11/2012

Media Buy $300,391.25

Media Placement Technologies

336 Commerce St

Alexandra VA 22314

7/18/2012

Media buy $318,521.25

Chatham Light Media

P O Box 1330

Stowe VT 05672

7/20/2012

Media buy $37,840.50

Media Placement Technologies

336 Commerce St

Alexandria VA 22314

7/26/2012

Media buy $347,196.25

[emphasis added]

My God, that’s $1,272,420.50 in media buys from one candidate for the republican lieutenant governor primary. Yep, that’ll do it.

Then again, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (r) is no slouch in the twenty-four hour report category:

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Citizens for Diehl 2404 White Stable Rd Town and Country, MO 63131 8/2/2012 [$]5,000.00

John Connell 524 Fox Ridge St Louis, MO 63131 8/2/2012 [$]5,000.00

Arthur Muskin 633 Etzel St Louis, MO 63133 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Missouri Insurance Coalition 220 Madison St Jefferson City, MO 65101 8/2/2012 [$]1,000.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Jared Novelly 5 Brighton Way Louis, MO 63105 8/2/2012 [$]1,000.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

UP Railroad Company 511 West Congress Pacific, MO 63069 8/2/2012 [$]1,500.00

Ryan Erlbacher 182 Red Fox Ln Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 8/2/2012 [$]1,000.00

Jack Pohrer 15 Overbrook Dr St Louis, MO 63124 8/2/2012 [$]1,000.00

Thomas Sutherland 302 E. South St Ozark, MO 65721 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Laclede Political Action Committee 720 Olive St Suite 1516 St Louis, MO 63101 8/2/2012 [$]2,500.00

Jerry Hunter 245 Union Blvd Apt 902 St Louis, MO 63108 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

CLR Consultants, INC 7777 Bonhomme Suite 1210 St Louis, MO 63105 8/2/2012 [$]4,500.00

Charles Eveker 6626 Oleatha Ave St Louis , MO 63139 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

Steven Stogel 7777 Bonhomme Suite 1210 St Louis, MO 63105 8/2/2012 [$]2,000.00

Heal PAC PO BOX 411241 Creve Coeur, MO 63141 8/2/2012 [$]1,000.00

Douglas Woodruff 11 Claychester Dr St Louis, MO 63131 8/2/2012 [$]500.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Bernie Gossland 3434 Arbor Rd Joplin, MO 64804 8/1/2012 [$]1,500.00

Roper Buick GMC INC 808 Illinois Ave Joplin, MO 64801 8/1/2012 [$]1,000.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Mark Vogt 139 NE 100 Rd Clinton, MO 64735 8/1/2012 [$]500.00

Effertz Farms 16401 Holmes Rd Belton, MO 64012 8/1/2012 [$]500.00

Anne Albrecht 16 Upper Dadue St Louis, MO 63124 8/1/2012 [$]10,000.00

Don Bedell PO Box 1210 Sikeston , MO 63801 8/1/2012 [$]2,500.00

Dewey King 613 Stokelan Dr Malden, MO 63863 8/1/2012 [$]2,500.00

Terrence Dunn 12008 Ensley Ln Leawood, KS 66209 8/1/2012 [$]2,500.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

William Mcginnis Checkerboard Square St Louis, MO 63164 7/31/2012 [$]10,000.00

Missouri Leadership Committee 222 W Columbia St Farmington, MO 63640 7/31/2012 [$]40,000.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Citizens for Chuck Gross 3019 Westborough Ct St Charles, MO 63301 7/30/2012 [$]1,000.00

David Law 306 Dux Landing Cape Giradeau, MO 63701 7/30/2012 [$]500.00

Cornerstone Commercial Development LLC 608 SW 3rd St Lees Summit, MO 64063 7/30/2012 [$]2,500.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Cole & Associates, Inc 10404 Sunset Office Dr ste 10 St Louis, MO 63127 7/30/2012 [$]1,000.00

[emphasis added]

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

Alliance for Elderly Health Care 101 E High St Jefferson City, MO 65101 7/26/2012 [$]2,500.00

Coalition for Advanced Learning 101 E High St Jefferson City, MO 65101 7/26/2012 [$]2,500.00

[emphasis added]

Seriously? Do they just use a random generator when they come up with these organization names at the same address?

24 HOUR NOTICE OF LATE CONTRIBUTIONS / LOANS RECEIVED

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf]

John Tracy 12326 Wedgetown Ln Des Peres, MO 63131 7/26/2012 [$]500.00

SLBS Limited Partnership 3201 Rider Trl South Earth City, MO 63045 7/26/2012 [$]5,000.00

Gary Rust 250 Birdsong Ln Cape Giradeau, MO 63701 7/26/2012 [$]10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Expenditures from the 8 Day Before Primary Election report filed on July 30th:

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER [pdf] 7/30/2012

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100

American Viewpoint

300 N. Lee Street

Suite 400

Alexandria VA 22314

7/23/2012

Add-On Questions to Survey $2,700.00

Patrick Media

PO BOX 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/17/2012

TV and Radio $400,000.00

Patrick Media

PO BOX 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/24/2012

Advertising $35,000.00

Patrick Media

PO BOX 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/10/2012

Advertising $168,375.48

Patrick Media

PO BOX 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/9/2012

Advertising $143,395.48

American View Point

300 N Lee St

Suite 400

Alexandria VA 22314

7/19/2012

Survey Questions $2,700.00

Patrick Media

PO Box 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/25/2012

media $80,000.00

Patrick Media

PO Box 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/25/2012

Media $190,000.00

Amrican Viewpoint

300 North Lee St

Ste 400

Alexandria VA 22314

7/16/2012

Poll $2,700.00

Patrick Media

PO Box 5

200 W Jefferson

Marshfield MO 65706

7/26/2012

Media $70,000.00

[emphasis added]

Just think about the television ads in this race for the November general election, no matter who the republican nominee is.

Yesterday, at the Missouri Ethics Commission, the republican lieutenant governor really, really rich guy campaign finance primary pile on continues:

C091011 07/02/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER Herzog Contracting Corp P O Box 1089 St Joseph MO 64502 6/30/2012 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

Why do they do this? Because they can.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (r) keeps pedaling his campaign finance tricycle:

C091145 07/02/2012 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER Drury Development Corporation 721 Emerson Road, Suite 200 Saint Louis MO 63141 7/1/2012 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

I was gonna write something about almost feeling sorry. Nah. Pass the popcorn.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: it’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (June 25, 2012)

Campaign Finance: whip it out… (June 25, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Virginia weighs in with a paltry $10,000.00 (June 27, 2012)

State Senator Brad Lager (R-12), who is also candidate for Lieutenant Governor,  hyperventilates on the Obamacare mandate-as-a-tax ruling of the Supreme Court :

I am disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling today, that upheld the single largest tax increase in the world.

Got that? Then take a look at the estimated revenue effect of the mandate (in GOP speak, the “enormous new tax”) compared to past tax increases (note especially the Reagan tax increase):

Does it look to you like the chart above show us the “biggest tax increase in the history of the world”? Looks to me more like what Josh Marshall labels it, “clearly one of tiniest ones in history.” Somebody ought to let Mr. Lager know that hyperbole isn’t always a wise rhetorical choice if one doesn’t want to appear foolish.

There are, though, some additional new taxes in the Affordable Care Act – which fact inspires horror in Rep. Todd Akin (R-2) (via facebook):

Americans will have to pay at least $675 billion in new taxes because of Obamacare. I support full repeal.

And the problem, Todd, is what exactly? It will insure a majority of the currently uninsured Missourians. Add to that almost inestimable benefit, the fact that it will prevent price gouging on the part of insurance companies – $64.5 million in insurance overcharges will be refunded to Missourians this year alone –  and it seems like a good bargain to me when we compare what we get to the cost in new taxes. As TPM’s Brian Beutler notes when he does the numbers:

… even if you include the sum total of all the revenue-raising provisions in the ACA – and there are many taxes in it – it’s still smaller than the Reagan, Bush and Clinton tax increases.

Kevin Drum offers the best summary of  the taxing (to the GOP) nature of new Obamacare taxes:

It’s fair for Republicans to complain that ACA includes a bunch of new taxes. It does. Most of them fall on high earners and corporations, not the middle class, but they’re still taxes. However, the “biggest tax increase in history” nonsense is crazy, and no news outlet interested in accuracy should let it pass without challenge.

See also “Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): when right wingnut talk radio gasbags feed you your talking points…“

The republican money groundswell to stick it to Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (r) continues.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091011 06/27/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER Smithfield Foods Inc P O Box 9004 Smithfield VA 23431 6/27/2012 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

$10,000.00 here and $10,000.00 there – pretty soon you’ll be talking about some serious money.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: it’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (June 25, 2012)

Campaign Finance: whip it out… (June 25, 2012)

…and see who has the biggest checkbook. Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091011 06/25/2012 CITIZENS FOR BRAD LAGER Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Self Investments 6/25/2012 $385,000.00

[emphasis added]

Keeping up with the other one percenters must be hard work.

Previously (today): Campaign Finance: it’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (June 25, 2012)

….Uh, yep, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (r) must’ve really upset at least one person….

Make that two people.