Duke . . . of the 137th?

Self-described "independent conservative" Reggie Duke has announced his candidacy for the #137th House district against Democrat Charlie Norr.

Duke already has a snazzy website set-up, and in his introduction he says, "Missouri needs a voice that is a thorn in the side of complacency."

"A voice that stands out and isn't afraid to go against the establishment," Duke goes on.

A member of James Rive Assembly, Duke's bio says he has worked for T-Mobile USA since college and is now the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the Division of Publication.

ON EDUCATION, Duke seems open to school vouchers:

"When tax dollars are concerned, I support you having the right to use your school taxes towards the best choice for your child. This includes public, private, and home schooling," he writes.

ON HEALTHCARE, he wants to focus on reducing costs before expanding coverage:

"I believe that before we can even talk about covering people with healthcare, we first need to aggressively find ways to reduce costs," he writes.

While not mentioned explicitly on his website, Duke tells The Notebook he's running as a Republican. "I contemplated running as an independent for awhile, but I will try the Republican way first," he said.

Other potential Republican candidates exploring the #137th: Lisa Leach has formed an exploratory committee and former Springfield City Council candidate Fred Ellison is also said to be looking at the race.

Norr is expected to seek his third term in 2010.

House Dems Form Blue Dog Caucus

27 State House Democrats announced the formation of the Blue Dog Democratic Caucus Monday.

The Blue Dogs say they represent a group of fiscal conservatives that want to create a streamlined state government "that provides essential state services within existing budgetary constraints."

Springfield Rep. Charlie Norr is a member; Rep. Sara Lampe is not.

"The Blue Dog Caucus is committed to bridging the gap between the partisan and ideological extremes that have caused gridlock in Jefferson City," said Rep. Sam Komo. "We are conservative and moderate Democrats committed to protecting working families and small businesses. We believe that by being fiscally conservative we can make our tax dollars go further and do more without placing additional burdens on Missouri taxpayers."

The full list of Blue Dogs includes: Rep. Joe Aull of Marshall, Rep. Kenny Biermann of St. Charles, Rep. Rachel Bringer of Palmyra, Rep. Ron Casey of Crystal City, Rep. Vicky Englund of St. Louis, co-chair for national affairs, Rep. Joe Fallert of Ste. Genevieve, Rep. Linda Fishcer of Bonne Terre, co-chair for communication, Rep. Jason Grill of Parkville, Rep. Belinda Harris of Hillsboro, Rep. Steve Hodges of East Prairie, Rep. Jonas Hughes of Kansas City, co-chair for communication, Rep. Sam Komo of House Springs, co-chair for policy, Rep. Rebecca McClanahan of Kirksville, Rep. Michelle Kratky of St. Louis, Rep. J.C. Kuessner of Eminence, Rep. Tim Meadows of Imperial, Rep. Charlie Norr of Springfield, Rep. Paul Quinn of Monroe City, co-chair for administration, Rep. Martin Rucker of St. Joseph, Rep. Luke Scavuzzo of Harrisonville, Rep. Ed Schieffer of Troy, whip, Rep. Sue Schoemehl of St. Louis, Rep. Tom Shively of Shelbyville, Rep. Terry Swinger of Caruthersville, Rep. Tom Todd of Campbell, Rep. Ed Wildberger of St. Joseph, Rep. Pat Yaeger of St. Louis

Davis To Run For The #137th In 2010

Republican Charity Davis says she will challenge Rep. Charlie Norr for the #137th legislative district seat in 2010.

She made the announcement . . . on FACEBOOK, (where else?)

In a Facebook message to The Notebook (yes, I've recently relented too), the anti-abortion, pro-gun Davis said she's determined to launch a campaign.

"I am determined to serve the people of the 137th district. I love my neighbors. I witness the struggles that they are going through; struggles that I have faced myself. Clearly, something must be done. I desire to strengthen homes and families. Families are central to our society. If we do not take care of families, we are failing to care for our nation. I want to seek out and work for those solutions that will better our lives as individuals, and as families," wrote Davis.

Anti-Abortion Bill Clears House

BILL SPLITS SPRINGFIELD REPS ON PARTY LINES

Lampe, Norr Vote "NO"

AT ISSUE: How You Define "Coercing" An Abortion

The State House has passed legislation that abortion opponents say would help expectant parents "choose life" and Planned Parenthood believes would "push women farther into their pregnancy before they are able to obtain an abortion."

The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Shane Schoeller (#139th), passed overwhelmingly. It includes more requirements for clinics and doctors, and is designed to encourage women to seek a variety of options other than abortion. It would also seek to punish individuals for "coercing an abortion." All lawmakers from Southwest Missouri voted to approve the legislation except Democratic Reps. Sara Lampe (138th) and Charlie Norr (137th).

Gov. Matt Blunt commended the House for its work. “Innocent life is not dispensable and we must work with expectant parents to help them choose life," the Governor said.

On the specifics, the bill requires the doctor performing the abortion to provide the woman an opportunity to see an ultrasound, explain to the woman that someone coercing her to get an abortion is illegal and prominently display statements encouraging the woman to contact agencies that help women carry the pregnancy to term.

"These long, checklist bills contain numerous new, burdensome and duplicative requirements for counseling, evaluating, and performing abortion procedures that—according to the proponents—are to ‘protect women,'" said Kellie Rohrbaugh of Planned Parenthood. "In reality, these burdens will likely push women farther into their pregnancy before they are able to obtain the abortion. In addition, the bills create the new felony crime of 'coercing an abortion' and remove decision-making entirely from the woman seeking the procedure," Rohrbaugh added.

“This particular measure is only one piece of a larger agenda backed by groups who are working toward an all-out ban on abortion care in Missouri," she said.

Opponents of the bill are most upset about the definition of coercion, and the liability of parents, relatives and healthcare providers if they urge a woman to have an abortion.

Under this legislation, a person is guilty of coercing an abortion if he or she conspires to commit an unlawful act against the woman or her family, abuses the woman, terminates her employment or revokes or threatens to revoke a scholarship.

Zweifel Snags Endorsements

***85th ANNUAL JACKSON DAYS***
LAMPE, NORR, KUESSNER PICK SIDES FOR TREASURER

Rep. Clint Zweifel announced three legislative endorsements at the Greene County Jackson Days event Saturday.

Rep. Sara Lampe, Rep. Charlie Norr and Rep. J.C. Kuessner all officially announced their support of Zweifel for State Treasurer. Zweifel is in a 4-way primary battle for the Democratic nomination.

"Clint and I have worked together through the Special Committee on Retirement. He will bring his strong commitment to protecting Missouri retirees and helping seniors cope with property taxes to the office of State Treaurer," Lampe said in a statement distributed at a candidate breakfast Saturday morning.

"I have been impressed by Clint's understanding of taxes, investing state funds and the state budget. He truly stands for Democratic values," Lampe added.

"Clint will use his experience and leadership to promote policy solutions to the growing cost of higher education in our state," Rep. Norr said. "Missouri's Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) faces its' first loss in a 28-year history and no one knows what that will mean for our young people who want to go to college," added Norr.

Rep. Kuessner called Zweifel a "leader in all areas of state finances" in the Missouri legislature.

"(He) will make an outstanding State Treasurer," Kuessner said.

Coonrod, Rep. Norr Back Harris for A.G.

HARRIS: "DEMOCRATS MUST NOMINATE A CANDIDATE . . .

WHO CAN WIN IN EVERY CORNER OF MISSOURI"

Greene County Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod and Rep. Charlie Norr have endorsed Rep. Jeff Harris for Missouri's Attorney General.

Harris is running in a 3-way Democratic primary against Rep. Margaret Donnelly and State Senator Chris Koster.

“Jeff Harris’ strong record as a leader in the House and his ability to appeal to all Missourians, not just those in major metro areas, make him the right choice for Attorney General,” said Coonrod. “Missourians know what they’re getting with a candidate like Jeff Harris, and we know we can trust him to focus on the issues that matter most to Missouri families.”

“Jeff Harris has the experience and the ability to run an Attorney General’s office that will work for all of us,” said Norr. “He is the only candidate who has worked directly with a Democratic Attorney General, and as a leader in the House he has fought tirelessly to address the issues that affect Missourians’ lives.”

“I am honored to have the support of Commissioner Coonrod and Representative Norr,” said Rep. Jeff Harris. “Their endorsements demonstrate the strength that my campaign is building across the state. To win in November, Democrats must nominate a candidate who can win in every corner of Missouri, not just in St. Louis or Kansas City," Harris said.

Also today, the Joplin Building and Construction Trades Council announced they are endorsing Koster for Attorney General. “Chris Koster has a proven track record of supporting the issues and concerns of working men and women,” said Ron Lundien, President of the Joplin Council.

Not Telling: Why Local Pols Aren't Endorsing

"As an elected official, it's somewhat risky."

None of Springfield's Republican state representatives are publicly endorsing a candidate for president, now just over a month before Missouri's February 5th primary.

Rep. Jim Viebrock of the #134th legislative district puts it this way: "As an elected official it's somewhat risky to publicly endorse, because you don't know. The next thing out of their mouth might be really, really bad," he said.

Viebrock said he has a personal policy not to endorse, even in local races. "I've very cautious about endorsing in any primary." But he acknowledged that part of the problem in the Republican race for president is that there is no clear frontrunner to get behind.

"Among friends we talk about it, but I'm not ready to make a public commitment. It's pretty scattered really. I'm kind of curious to watch and see who comes through," Viebrock said.

Rep. Charlie Denison (#135th) said he has not yet made up his mind on an endorsement. In a brief phone interview, Denison said, "I'm going to kind of wait and see what the fallout of it all is."

In an interview Friday, Rep. Shane Schoeller (#139th) said he is privately leaning towards a candidate, but is not ready to say who. "I've decided in this particular race that you are not going to get a candidate that has every quality that you would look for," he said.

Rep. Bob Dixon's (#140th) office said Dixon was unavailable for comment due to a family emergency. A spokeswoman for Senator Norma Champion said the senator was unreachable and taking time off until after the holiday.

Rep. B.J. Marsh has been the most open about his choices -- favoring Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani -- but even the blunt Marsh said he hasn't settled.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Sara Lampe talks glowingly about the top three Democrats, but offers no hint of a preference. Rep. Charlie Norr has told the KY3 Political Notebook he favors John Edwards.

Lampe Will File Bill to Overturn "Village Law"

State Rep. Sara Lampe will join other House Democrats in pre-filing a bill to repeal the controversial "village law" which paved the way for property owners in unincorporated areas to avoid county land laws.

The bill will also contain a provision to dissolve any village established under the statute as it currently exists.

For background on the Village Law, click HERE for our KY3 reports, as well as links to the Springfield News-Leader's coverage.

The News-Leader was the first to report that Speaker Rod Jetton was responsible for sneaking the provision into a large 352-page bill.

“An inherent flaw in our legislative process is that in the final days of the session scores of massive bills are pushed through that don’t receive the level of scrutiny they should,” said Lampe, D-Springfield. “Lawmakers place a great deal of trust in their colleagues to inform them of changes they make to legislation. In this case, Speaker Jetton violated that trust.”

“Contrary to Speaker Jetton’s claims, secretly changing state law to benefit a friend and political benefactor is a big deal,” Lampe said, referring to Jetton's ties to businessman Robert Plaster, who wants to incorporate his own village in Stone County.

House Dems are worried the legislation will carry statewide implications for landowners.

“If this law is allowed to stand, we could see an explosion in the number of new villages created,” said state Rep. Charlie Norr. “This statute turns the idea of local control on its head, allowing certain property owners to write laws to suit their own interests and leaving their neighbors powerless to object," Norr said.

By 3-0 vote on Tuesday, the Stone County Commission rejected Plaster’s petition of incorporation. His attorney, however, vowed to challenge the decision in court.

Koster Makes His Pitch

A month after he announced he was leaving the Republican party, State Senator Chris Koster campaigned for Democratic votes in Springfield this Labor Day as he gets ready to formally launch his campaign for Attorney General.

"I don't know if you will accept me, or spit me out," Koster told the crowd.

Overall, the crowd at the Labor Day picnic was much lighter than last year. That's expected, because it's an-off-election year (even though it doesn't feel like it.) No statewide honchos attended this year, except candidate Koster. Rep. Sara Lampe and Rep. Charlie Norr spoke to the crowd, and Democratic candidate Nancy Hagan officially announced she will again run against Rep. Charlie Denison for the #135th district legislative seat.

We'll have a special report on Koster's visit tonight on KY3 News @ 10.

And, of course, more blog entries on Labor Day politics to come.