Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem has stripped three fellow Republicans of their committee chairmanships, describing them as “the “Chaos Caucus.” While Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority in the Senate, GOP infighting has led to gridlock in Jefferson City. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) made the announcement during a Tuesday afternoon Statehouse press conference. He’s stripped State Sens. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) and Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) from their chairmanships. Senator Rowden joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that he took action due to years of disrespect toward the Missouri Senate and colleagues. He also says the Freedom Caucus senators have tried to break the Senate. Senator Eigel, who’s seeking Missouri’s GOP gubernatorial nomination in August, has issued a statement to 939 the Eagle, after he was stripped from his chairmanship. Senator Eigel, writes, in part: “Jefferson City is ruled by a uniparty cartel of special interests, RINOS and Democrats, who band together to crush the voice of the people. These are the same tactics the Swamp uses against President Trump.” Senator Hoskins’ district includes Cooper and Howard counties in the 939 the Eagle listening area:
(LISTEN): Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is hopeful about the 2024 legislative session in Jefferson City. He joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” and touts education. He says legislation expanding the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) program will hit the Senate floor this week. He’s also hopeful about his anti-swatting bill. Senator Rowden notes Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) was swatted at his Jefferson City home earlier this month. Rowden tells listeners that swatting is happening to Republicans and Democrats around the nation and that it’s intimidating:
(LISTEN): Palm Strategic Group partner Jonathan Ratliff appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Palm Strategic Group partner Jonathan Ratliff is also the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee’s (HRCC) executive director. Republicans control the Missouri House 111-51, which is a supermajority-plus. Mr. Ratliff joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”. The Missouri House Ethics Committee will hold a November 8 hearing in Jefferson City, a hearing that’s widely believed to involve House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) Mr. Ratliff tells listeners that House Republicans will caucus in about a week, adding that the caucus overall stands behind Speaker Plocher. Mr. Ratliff also says Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) enters the secretary of state’s race as the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP primary. Ratliff describes Rowden as a prolific fundraiser. He also weighed in on the Democratic primary for Missouri’s first congressional district, where incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-St. Louis) is being challenged by St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell (D). Mr. Ratliff tells listeners that anytime Congresswoman Bush speaks, it’s a great fundraising opportunity for Republicans across Missouri. Ratliff also addressed Senator Rowden’s mid-Missouri seat, which will be an open seat and a Boone County-only seat in 2024. Mr. Ratliff predicts that seat will flip to Democrats:
(LISTEN): Missouri’s Rowden, Hoskins clash again over sports wagering
Two Missouri GOP state senators who are running for secretary of state next year are blaming each other for the defeat of sports wagering legislation in Jefferson City this year.
Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) spoke Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program.
“We had the ability to cut property taxes, legalize sports betting and do some other things in the tax realm all in one fell swoop, and Senator Hoskins decided to kill all of that because they want slot machines in gas stations,” Senator Rowden says.
Senator Rowden tells listeners that the legality of these slot machines in gas stations is questionable, noting the issue is currently in litigation.
State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrenburg), who represents mid-Missouri’s Cooper County in the listening area, disagrees. He’s issued a statement to 939 the Eagle, which says “the Missouri Constitution says state tax revenue from gaming must be used for education and veterans and currently that tax revenue does not fully fund our veterans homes and cemeteries. As a veteran of the Missouri Army National Guard, I will continue to fight to find a dedicated funding source for our veterans homes and cemeteries. Unfortunately, as a former pop singer, Rowden’s loyalties lie with getting the best deal for casinos, not the best deal for Missouri veterans and taxpayers.”
Meantime, Senate President Pro Tem Rowden says term limits are good but that Missouri’s term limits are bad. Missouri voters approved term limits in 1992, and state lawmakers can serve up to four terms in the House (eight years) and up to two four-year Senate terms (eight years) for a maximum of 16 years in Jefferson City. Senator Rowden tells 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” he’d like to see that tweaked and sent back to voters.
“I love the idea or I like the idea of saying ok you can just serve 16 years (in the Missouri Legislature) but you can do it wherever you want. Because instead of saying you can only serve eight and eight in either chamber, there’s a bunch of House members that are never going to run for the (Missouri) Senate, but if they’re there for 16 years they have the ability to really kind of put their roots down and figure out those ways to really serve their community well,” says Rowden.
You can listen to host Fred Parry’s full interview with Senator Rowden here.
Columbia’s Rowden running for Missouri Secretary of State in 2024
Missouri’s powerful Senate President Pro Tem is seeking the GOP nomination for secretary of state next year.
State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) made his announcement Saturday with a large sign at Mizzou’s 112th Homecoming parade downtown. Senator Rowden tweeted Saturday that he wanted his hometown Mizzou faithful to be the first to know about his future plans. He says he and his wife Aubrey and their three children are ready to embark on what he describes as an ”exciting new political journey.”
Rowden was elected to the Missouri House in 2012 and served two terms, before beating then-State Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) in 2016 to win the Missouri Senate seat. Rowden won another close race in his 2020 re-election race, defeating former State Rep. Judy Baker (D-Columbia). Rowden will be forced out of the Senate by term limits at the end of 2024.
Senator Rowden is expected to face State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), State Rep. Adam Schwadron (R-St. Charles) and Greene County clerk and former House Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) in the August 2024 GOP primary. The primary winner will face the winner of the Missouri Democratic primary in November 2024.
Missouri’s current secretary of state, Jay Ashcroft, is running for governor.
Our Zimmer colleague, Cosmo from Y-107, reports a woman dressed as a witch rode a bicycle and demonstrated against Senator Rowden throughout Saturday’s parade route. She also handed out literature to the crowd.