Not Kreider

Governor-elect Jay Nixon has chosen the former Chief of Staff for Jim Kreider to head the Department of Agriculture.

Springfield goes 0 for 2 for Cabinet Slots Friday

BUT: Hollister Colonel Tapped as Adjutant General

The release reads:

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov.-elect Jay Nixon today announced his intention to appoint Dr. Jon Hagler, of St. James, Mo., to the position of Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Hagler, a lifelong horseman, continues to operate a small farm near St. James, where he raises, trains and sells Missouri Fox Trotters, the Missouri state horse. Over the past three years, Dr. Hagler served as Gov.-elect Nixon’s principal adviser and liaison on agriculture issues and was instrumental in drafting the Governor-elect’s agricultural and environmental policies.

From 2000 to 2001, Dr. Hagler was chief of staff to the Speaker, overseeing a staff of more than 300 House employees and helping define and advance the Speaker’s legislative agenda. He served as chief of staff to the Speaker Pro Tem from 1996 to 2001, as a research analyst in the Missouri Senate and in a variety of other administrative roles prior to that.

ALSO FRIDAY:

• Nixon appointed Col. Stephen L. Danner, of Hollister, to the position of Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard. As Adjutant General, Col. Danner will hold the rank of Brigadier General and will oversee the operations of the Army and Air National Guard units assigned to the state by the federal government.
• Nixon also announced his intention to appoint Lawrence G. Rebman, of Kansas City, to the position of Director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

The Last-Ditch Push For Kreider

"He's definitely interested . . . We're all just waiting."

The Chair of the Christian County Democratic Central Committee tells The Notebook that he's written a letter to Governor-elect Jay Nixon's transition team recommending Former House Speaker Jim Kreider to become the next head of the state Department of Agriculture.

"He's definitely interested," says Christian County Democratic Chair Dick Wilson. Asked about Kreider's chances, Wilson replied, "We have no clue. We're just all waiting here ourselves."

Says he last spoke to Kreider about a week ago. "He asked if I knew anything, and I asked if he knew anything. We're all waiting."

Asked about potential Senate opposition to a Kreider nomination, Wilson replied: "The only person in the Senate who would be his enemy is the guy who beat him back in 2002. If (Senator) Dan Clemens wants to take a chance and hold a grudge so that Southwest Missouri can't have the top man in the state at agriculture, then what is he saying to Southwest Missouri farmers?"

***

Christian County Democrat David Stokely also said "it's my understanding he's being considered." Stokely is just one of several Democrats who have written The Notebook since this post first mentioned Kreider's candidacy for the Ag post. "People remember Jim fondly," says Stokely. He's really our only shining example that a Democrat can be elected in Christian County."

Kreider has not returned repeated calls for comment.

***

With just six days until his Inauguration, Nixon has filled half of his Cabinet.

So far he's appointed designees to five slots.

Appointments yet to be made include: Director of Agriculture, Director of Health & Senior Services, Director of Insurance, Director of Natural Resources, Director of Public Safety.

Is Kreider Too Hot To Head Ag?

Three separate Democrats tell The Notebook that Former House Speaker Jim Kreider of Nixa is "actively interested" in becoming Governor-elect Jay Nixon's Agriculture Director.

"I've heard there's definitely been an interest, and he did do a lot for Jay," says one.

--BUT--

"As much as I love Jim, he's not necessarily a sympathetic figure, and might have a big problem getting confirmed," he adds, listing Sen. Dan Clemens and Lieutenant Gov. Peter Kinder as potential sources of opposition.

All three said they believed Kreider may be too radioactive to be confirmed by the State Senate.

Another Springfield Democrat, who has spoken with members of Nixon's transition team, says they believe the Governor-elect is close to settling on a pick from Southeast Missouri.

--STILL--

Kreider may be a more likely pick for Deputy Director, since it does not require Senate approval. Jon Hagler, one of Nixon's transition directors, formerly served as Kreider's Chief of Staff, and could be a key advocate for his old boss.

Kreider did not respond to repeated calls for comment.

Former Kreider Staffer Part of Zweifel Transition Team

Democratic Treasurer-elect Clint Zweifel named four people to head his transition efforts Tuesday.

One served as the Chief of Staff to Former House Speaker Jim Kreider.

"In these tough economic times, it's imperative that Missourians know that their tax dollars will be handled in the most transparent and prudent manner possible," said Zweifel in a statement Tuesday. "This transition team will help me assemble the most qualified and professional staff to implement important reforms that bring increased accountability and transparency to the Treasurer's Office."

Damon Shelby Porter will serve as Transition Chairman. Porter was both legislative director to former Missouri Speaker Steve Gaw and counsel and Chief of Staff to Speaker Kreider. He was one of the youngest and only African American to serve as a principal advisor to a state legislative presiding officer in the country.

Other members of Zweifel's transition team include:

• Connie Burkhardt, Former Curator, University of Missouri Board of Curators
• Thomas M. Noonan, Former Chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association & Former Vice Chairman of Commerce Bank of St. Louis
• Ken Kuster, Former Director of Audits, State Auditor's Office

Zweifel also praised outgoing Treasurer Sarah Steelman and her staff for a smooth transition process. "Treasurer Steelman and her staff have gone out of their way to make this transition as seamless as possible," Zweifel said. "I appreciate her dedication to the office and look forward to continuing to work with her over the next couple months."

"We're Now in the Phase of Executing A Victory"

NIXON STUMPS IN NIXA

Watch KY3 News @ 10 Report HERE

Piece focuses on what a competitive G.O.P. primary means for Nixon
About 70 party loyalists attend fundraiser at Kreider farm

Nixon lobs tongue-in-cheek shot at Hulshof-Steelman squabble:

"I can only expect them to be extremely positive and visionary come the fall."

Kreider: Bring Us Hulshof

FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER WEIGHS IN

At Nixon fundraiser in Nixa, Jim Kreider explains why he thinks Sarah Steelman would be the tougher general election opponent for the Attorney General this fall

"I've served with Sarah . . . she's tough, she's a pitbull."

Still, says rough-and-tumble G.O.P. primary will aid Nixon

Also: Calls Hubby David Steelman one of the best political minds in the Show-Me State