Local Dem Dish

I spoke to some local Democratic political players tonight. Here's what is on their minds:

• Local Democratic leaders are miffed at not getting invited to some recent bill signings and major events. Most notably: The Crime Lab announcement. Sources say neither Rep. Charlie Norr or Rep. Sara Lampe had notification of the funding announcement. Democratic operatives believe it was on purpose, and are pretty upset about it. "Everyone needs this crime lab. It's not a partisan issue," says one Springfield Dem. "By excluding the #137th and #138th district, they are saying they don't care about the issue of crime. Purely for political advantage," the Dem adds.
• Among the Democratic candidates for President, Hillary Clinton is making the most aggressive push for legislative endorsements in Southwest Missouri. A source says Clinton has called Rep. Lampe at least 3 times to talk about her candidacy and a possible endorsement. Emails have come in hard as well. "She's been the most aggressive, and it makes sense for her to seek out a female elected official here," says the source. Word is Lampe is still undecided on who she will endorse for President.
• We hear so much about how Republicans and Democrats can't get along in Jefferson City. We hear the stories about the pettiness, the partisanship. Yeah, it's true. But some of the Dems do like and -- and even respect some of the members of the G.O.P. Not that they agree on ideology -- but here are 3 Republicans that have the respect of at least a portion of the Democratic caucus: Rep. Mike McGhee (Odessa), Rep. Maynard Wallace (Thornfield), Rep. Allen Icet.