301 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY… 210 DAYS UNTIL THE AUGUST PRIMARY

LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS — Republican Elaine Gannon, a former Junior High P.E. teacher, announced last night she will seek the 115th House seat in De Soto, Mo. Statement: “With today’s economy it is common sense that we must keep taxes low and keep the government out of our pocket books. …  We need more jobs here at home and all across our state.  In Jefferson City I will work hard to get government out of the way and let the true economic engines, small businesses, get Missouri back to work. As someone who spent their career as a teacher, our children’s education will always be a top priority for me. I hope to serve the people of our community and be their voice in Jefferson City.” 

ON THE TRAIL — ‘Spence introducing himself to Missouri Republicans,’ Jake Wagman, over the weekend: “St. Louis businessman Dave Spence remains a virtual unknown to most party activists across Missouri. … As he travels around the state pressing his case, party leaders are meeting — most for the first time — a man who does not fit the standard template of a candidate for statewide office. … Shortly after making his bid for governor official in November, Spence donated $2 million to his campaign, instantly giving him the largest war chest of any Missouri Republican running for state office. While Democrats begin to scrutinize his personal life and business record, Spence will have to work to convince voters that he is serious about a campaign that even those who know him did not see coming. … 

“His nascent campaign — using the slogan ‘A Conservative for Missouri’ — has focused so far on one key theme: job growth. Spence believes his unconventional candidacy — he derides ‘lifetime politicians’ — will be a selling point, even if his wealth might make him hard-pressed to meet most people’s idea of an average Joe.” http://bit.ly/AzuvMX 

COMING THIS WEEK — ‘Supreme Court to mull redistricting challenges,’ AP: “Just weeks before candidates can begin filing for office, the Missouri Supreme Court is considering whether new congressional boundaries were gerrymandered for the political benefit of incumbents or Republicans. … A quick ruling is expected, because candidates can begin filing for this year’s elections on Feb. 28. … The two lawsuits over Missouri’s congressional districts contend the new map runs afoul of equal protection rights by diluting the voting power of some residents.” http://bit.ly/zpdlP2

BUDGET SHORTFALL — ‘Universities will watch closely Nixon’s address,’ News-Press: “With a projected $500 million revenue shortfall in Missouri, public higher education institutions will be watching closely Gov. Jay Nixon’s State of the State address on Jan. 17. … Gov. Nixon announced Thursday that he was backing away from a proposal to pad the revenue shortfall by dipping into higher education reserves. Approximately $106 million would have been redirected to the state from the five largest universities in the state. The governor took some flak for that proposal the day before, during opening-session addresses from legislators at the statehouse.

“Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville, is chairman of the House’s committee on higher education. He takes some solace in knowing the governor has indicated his intent to make higher education more of a priority for the state. …  But with the shortfall where it is, if higher education comes out unscathed following the governor’s proposed budget, there likely will be legislators who will look to make cuts there.” http://bit.ly/xNq8vk

LT. GOV. PRIMARY — Mid-Mo wisdom says things are getting tougher for Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s reelection next year, and the problem may be coming from his own party: ‘Fourth GOP candidate for Lt. Governor prepares to run,’ MissouriNet: “A fourth candidate and second state senator is joining the Republican race for Lieutenant Governor.  State Senator Lu Ann Ridgeway of Smithville served ten years in the House before serving her two terms in the Senate.  She’s a Moberly native and lawyer who wants to become the second woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor.” http://bit.ly/w6BRFs

Q & A — The Southeast Missourian ran some answers from Missouri Chamber President Dan Mehan about Missouri’s business environment. Some key takeaways: 

— Best things in Missouri? “Quality workforce and competitive business climate, which we strive to improve. … We must have a fair court system, predictable insurance rates and a fair tax system. Unfortunately the federal government is causing uncertainty in a lot of these areas. … What can’t they take away from us? Our location. We should be the logistics and distribution center for not just the country, but for the continent.”

— Tax credit reform? “I think a model tax credit is the Missouri Quality Jobs program whereas an applicant you have to pay better average wages, and offer very credible good health insurance. You have to have the jobs in place, the boots on the ground, before the state issues the credit. You have to perform before the state steps up. That’s a responsible way of doing it. Job training credits have been extremely valuable. Historic preservation tax credits have helped the major metros in a big way and communities like Cape. Tax credits do work, it’s just that we’ve got into a situation where Missouri is off the charts. For these legislators to try to budget, we need to try to rein that in.” http://bit.ly/xsJauv

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, and welcome to this edition of PoliticMo Rundown, coming at you from Columbia, Mo. Send your tips, comments, and scoops to eli@politicmo.com. 

GOV. JAY NIXON will be in Excelsior Springs and Hopkins this afternoon to announce his ‘Missouri Works’ strategy to create more jobs in Missouri’s economy. Expect the new initiative to be a big part of his SOTS address next week. 

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL will be in St. Louis today, continuing her ‘Hometown Energy Tour.’ She will hold an energy research roundtable at WashU. 

HAPPY BIRTHWEEK — Janson Thomas… Mike Cunningham… 

SARAH HILL’s ‘U News’ on KOMU starts at 11 AM this week, moving up from its 4 PM time slot since it began last fall. (The program utilizes Google plus to bring individuals in live from almost anywhere, and Hill has been kind enough to invite PoliticMo a time or two. You should definitely check it out on KOMU or KOMU.com.) 

MATT BLUNT PROFILE — The St. Louis Post-Dispatch took a look at Matt Blunt’s new lobbying gig, and found out the former Governor drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee around Washington: ‘Former Gov. Matt Blunt takes on new role,’ Post-Dispatch: “If timing is everything, as the saying goes, then Matt Blunt might consider a job giving advice on when to make career changes. Blunt picked 2004 as the year to run for governor of Missouri. It turned into a strong year for Republicans and, at age 33, he became America’s youngest governor. In his new incarnation, Blunt last year became chief spokesman and a lobbyist in Washington for Detroit’s Big Three automakers just as the American automotive industry was enjoying a resurgence. … As president of the American Automotive Policy Council, one of Blunt’s main tasks is reminding Congress of his industry’s recent success, a rare good news story about American manufacturing. … 

“Blunt, who turned 41 in November, is leading a life different from his sometimes rocky four years as a young governor, in which he endured criticism for his cuts to Medicaid and low approval ratings at times. After leaving office in January 2009, he moved swiftly into the world of business. Besides his Big Three job, he is a director for Copart Inc., an online auto auction company in California that claims to sell 1 million vehicles yearly. He is a senior adviser for Rubicon Global, an Atlanta-based waste management firm, and an advisory board member for private equity funds. …

“Blunt’s background as a governor likely played a role in his selection as the industry sought to navigate tricky political waters in Congress after the controversial bailouts. Blunt technically is not a registered federal lobbyist because he spends less than 20 percent of his time lobbying. Nevertheless, he works the halls of Congress, trumpeting the key role of the Big Three in the nation’s economy. … 

“As a lobbyist, Blunt seemingly could have a ready ear from father Roy, who won election this month to a Senate GOP leadership slot. Matt Blunt said he doesn’t intend to talk business at family gatherings, perhaps because Roy Blunt has in the past been criticized for ties to lobbyists in his family and otherwise. Matt’s brother, Andy Blunt, works at a law firm in Jefferson City with a long list of lobbying clients. His sister, Amy, maintains some lobbying clients in her business in the state capital, which largely deals with helping candidates comply with Federal Election Commission rules. Roy Blunt’s wife, Abigail, was a lobbyist for tobacco giant Philip Morris before joining Kraft’s legislative affairs team.” http://bit.ly/znLsR4

MCCASKILL TOUR — ‘McCaskill stops at Cape Girardeau,’ Southeast Missourian: “McCaskill toured the facilities of Delta Concrete Companies, where she said she saw a process in place that shows how companies can make responsible use of large energy consumption and see a benefit. ‘What this company has done that many companies haven’t done as much of is they’ve figured out ways to be environmentally responsible when it makes sense for them in terms of their profit margin,’ McCaskill said, pointing to the company’s material recycling processes. … Missouri Republicans were quick to attack McCaskill’s attention to energy policies Friday, with the offices of Republican Senate candidate John Brunner and the Missouri Republican Party sending news releases stating McCaskill’s voting record does not match energy policies that work for businesses and individuals.” http://bit.ly/x0hG0R

MOSEN — Dave Drebes says Sarah Steelman really has a shot at the GOP nom, fwd’d by a Steelman supporter: “In the hallway of Jefferson City, the consensus seems to be turning that Sarah Steelman – once considered a long-shot – may actually be the Republican nominee. The inability of John Brunner to gain any traction despite his early television campaign is leading the smart money to conclude that Steelman could win by default. These folks also note that she only lost to Kenny Hulshof by 4.5% in 2008 despite being outspent in that race.”

— THEN THERE’S THIS: ‘Steelman’s son seeking to keep driving privileges after DUI arrest,’ Post-Dispatch: “The son of Republican Sarah Steelman — who also happens to be running her bid for U.S. Senate — is seeking to make sure that a DUI arrest last month does not limit his mobility on the campaign trail. Sam Steelman, 25, was arrested in Springfield, Mo., just before midnight on Dec. 11, police said. …  In a court motion filed shortly after the arrest, a lawyer for Sam Steelman asked a judge for a hearing where the case could either be thrown out, or Steelman could be issued a “limited hardship permit” that would allow him to drive for work — his mother’s campaign. Steelman ‘is gainfully employed and uses a motor vehicle in the course of employment,’ wrote his lawyer, Adam Woody. … 

“Sam Steelman’s title with his mother’s Senate campaign is ‘deputy manager,’ but, in the absence of an actual campaign manager, he is the de facto head of the campaign. He did not respond to a request for comment. A statement from campaign spokesman Jeff Layman, however, alluded to the fact that one of Steelman’s rivals for the GOP Senate nomination, John Brunner, also has a DUI arrest on his record.” http://bit.ly/yOkukc

FLIP — ‘Long denies support for post office privatization,’ PolitiMo: “During Billy Long’s successful congressional campaign in 2010, the political newcomer, then an auctioneer, completed several candidate questionnaires, including one from the the Council for Citizens Against Government waste. Buried in their particular survey was a question titled, ‘privatization,’ asking candidates whether they would ‘support legislation aimed at protecting taxpayers by privatizing’ government sponsored entities like the United States Postal Service. Long circled, ‘yes.’ … Nearly a year and a half after signing the questionnaire…  Long was confronted by Springfield residents about the issue. Wednesday night, at a tense hearing on the future of the USPS in the region, Long said he is not in favor of privatizing the government run enterprise. ‘When you tell stories about me… that I want to ‘privatize the postal service,’ which is a flat out lie, that doesn’t help you with me and my office,’ Long told an individual.” http://bit.ly/wMK2Lm

— PoliticMo tried to speak to Long, and reached out to his office multiple times Friday, with no luck. 

EDUCATION — ‘Schools face political, funding battles,’ Columbia Tribune: “Proposals that have been blocked in past years are likely to find new life, [Missouri National Education Association lobbyist Otto] Fajen said in a speech Thursday at the Columbia Area Career Center. Those “far-right ideas” — enacting tax credits to support private school attendance and repealing teacher tenure protections — are an attack on public schools, he said. … 

“For the past three years, funding for the state’s foundation formula — basic aid to school districts — has been flat, with deep cuts imposed in areas such as money for transporting students. Serious problems with student achievement in St. Louis and Kansas City also will exert pressure on lawmakers. Both districts are unaccredited, and current state law would allow thousands of students to enroll in suburban schools that have no extra room for the influx.

“House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, wants to offer tax credits to families that enroll their children in private schools. And he also announced when lawmakers began work this week that he wants to expand charter schools and repeal laws that offer job protection to experienced teachers.” http://bit.ly/wH87XK

POTUS 2012 — ‘Bain Capital tied to bankruptcy, closing of KC steel plant,’ Dave Heling: “Bain Capital, a company once operated by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was involved in the 2001 bankruptcy and closing of one of Kansas City’s oldest manufacturing plants. … As part of the bankruptcy, the company closed the GST Steel plant in northeast Kansas City, laying off 750 workers. Romney was not a part of the bankruptcy. …  It isn’t known how much money, if any, Romney earned from Bain’s stake in the steel plant. … 

“In a statement to Reuters, Romney campaign spokesman Ryan Williams said: ‘Bain Capital invested in many businesses. While not every business was successful, the firm had an excellent overall track record and created jobs.’  But Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement: ‘This is a template of what Mitt Romney did as a corporate buyout specialist.’” http://bit.ly/wB2Hmv