New Boundary Alignment Ruffles Feathers in South County

The wee hours of Thursday morning brought about big chances for state Senate districts in St. Louis County. The tentative document means that Sen. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) is now in a district with Sen. Brian Nieves, (R-Washington). And districts represented by Sen. Jim Lembke (R-Lemay) and John Lamping (R-Ladue) also saw significant changes.

If the maps stand, Lembke will likely have to run against fellow Republicans to keep his seat. The senator told the Post-Dispatch that he was caught off-guard by the maps and would not seek reelection in the 1st District if the boundary lines are final. 

Lembke's South County district would now include Webster Groves and Maplewood.

A Nixon-appointed, bipartisan commission approved the maps.

If this sounds familiar, that's because the map had to be redrawn after the original document was declared unconstitutional. More analysis will surely come over the next days and weeks. For now, the map is subject to a 15-day public comment period.

News On Statewide Races

With the August primaries still on the horizon, a pair of statewide candidates is touting support from members of the Missouri Senate.

For instance, Rep. Cole McNary (R-Chesterfield) is getting support from a slew of senators in his bid to unseat incumbent state Treasurer Clint Zweifel.

McNary announced endorsements from nine state senators. Notable St. Louis area lawmakers who endorsed his campaign include Sen. Jim Lembke, Sen. John Lamping (R-Ladue) and Sen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington).

“My experience in cutting waste in government seems to be resonating with Republican leaders from all over Missouri,” McNary said in a statement. “It is no longer plausible to trust career politicians to shrink the size of government. We must have a treasurer that has a proven record of reducing the size and scope of government, and I thank my colleagues in the Missouri Senate for having faith in my ability to do just that.”

McNary – the son of former St. Louis County Executive Gene McNary – is thus far the only Republican challenger for the state treasurer office. Zweifel – who represented north St. Louis County before moving to Columbia – has sizable cash on hand advantage against McNary.

McNary is holding a fundraiser on March 7 at the Bogey Club in Ladue. Dave Spence, the Frontenac Republican who is running for Governor is listed as one of the hosts along with former U.S. Sen. John Danforth and Bert Walker.

Meanwhile, Spence is out with a list of endorsements from the State Senate including Scott Rupp (R-Wentzville), Cunningham and Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale). He has also received support from John Lamping.

In addition to Spence, Kansas City attorney Bill Randles is also seeking to challenge Nixon. Associated Press reporter David Lieb noted that neither candidate got a particularly prominent spot at the party’s annual Lincoln Days gathering in Kansas City.

Endorsements aren't the be-all-end-all in statewide campaigns. But supportive lawmakers can help from an organizational - and fundraising - perspective. 

Martin Gets Challenger In AG Bid; Koster appeals MOSIRA decision

Newly minted Republican State Attorney General candidate Ed Martin now has a primary opponent in the GOP race to oppose Chris Koster. The Associated Press reports Livingston County Prosecutor Adam Warren will enter the contest. The AP said Warren, 32, is a former city prosecutor in Chillicothe and also served in the Missouri Army National Guard's Judge Advocate General or JAG corps.

Koster made a little bit of news this week when he announced that his office would  Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA). The 

The Democratic official also made news for a proposal to revamp his staff's office

Beer Party

File this under “almost missed:” Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) filed a bill earlier this month to make St. Louis Brewery and Boulevard Brewing Company the state’s official breweries.

St. Louis Brewery, of course, is the purveyor of Schlafly beer. The company’s Bottleworks location is a hot spot in Maplewood, while the Tap House is a fixture in St. Louis City.

The bill, by the way, was referred to the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. 

Creve Coeur Patch Editor Gregg Palermo contributed information for this report.