Powerful Missouri House Budget Committee chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) is serving his fourth and final term in the House, due to term limits. He joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, announcing his candidacy for state treasurer in 2024. He intends to seek the GOP nomination next August. Chairman Smith tells listeners that he has no specific criticism of GOP incumbent Vivek Malek, who was appointed to the position in January by Governor Mike Parson. Representative Smith tells “Wake Up” that the treasurer’s race will be about his own record and his experience in the General Assembly and in business:
Malek and Ashcroft to be featured at tonight’s Boone County Lincoln Days
Boone County GOP officials say about 120 people are expected at tonight’s (Monday) Boone County Lincoln Days banquet in Columbia.
State treasurer Vivek Malek will be the keynote speaker, and Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will be the special guest speaker. Secretary Ashcroft is running for governor. State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reinsch (R-Hallsville) will also speak.
Protecting the state senate seat currently held by Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem is a top priority for Boone County Republicans.
Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is term-limited. Republicans have held that seat for 15 years. Picking up the seat is a top priority for Missouri Democrats, and former State Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) is running for the seat. The district is now a Boone County-only seat, which could make it tougher for Republicans to win. GOP stronghold Cooper County is no longer in the senatorial district.
Boone County GOP women also plan to honor former State Rep. Ed Robb’s (R-Columbia) wife this evening. Robb, who also served as Boone County’s presiding commissioner, died in 2011.
“Wake Up Mid-Missouri” host Branden Rathert will be tonight’s emcee. The social hour at Stoney Creek Inn begins at 5, with dinner at 6 and the program starting at 6:30.
(AUDIO): Protecting Senator Rowden’s seat is top priority for Boone County Republicans
Boone County GOP officials say pre-registrations are up for this year’s Boone County Lincoln Days banquet.
Boone County Republican spokesman Tony Lupo tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the event is Monday April 17 at Columbia’s Stoney Creek Inn.
“Our (state) treasurer Vivek Malek will be there as our keynote speaker and then we will have our guest speaker (Secretary of State) Jay Ashcroft, who recently announced he’s running for governor,” Lupo says.
Mr. Lupo says the social hour begins at 5 that evening, with dinner at 6 and the program starting at 6:30. “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” host Branden Rathert will be the emcee.
Meantime, the Boone County GOP is hopeful that they’ll be able to hold on to mid-Missouri’s 19th state senate district seat, which is currently held by Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia). He’s term-limited and will leave the Senate at the end of 2024. The district has lost Republican stronghold Cooper County and is now a Boone County-only district. We asked Mr. Lupo about the race on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.”
“We still have fared very well in Boone County. I think (State Sen.) Caleb Rowden, if you look at how he polled in Boone County (2016 and 2020), it was very close both times with him. And I think it’s a very winnable race, it’s just going to depend on if we can get a great candidate,” says Lupo.
Senator Rowden defeated then-State Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) in a tight race in 2016, and won re-election against former State Rep. Judy Baker (D-Columbia) in a tough 2020 race.
(AUDIO): Mizzou atmospheric scientist Tony Lupo previews Boone County Lincoln Days
Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek will be the keynote speaker at next Monday evening’s (April 17) Boone County Lincoln Days event at Columbia’s Stoney Creek Inn and Resort. Dinner begins at 6, and the program starts at 6:30. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will be the special guest speaker. Mr. Ashcroft is running for governor. Mizzou atmospheric science professor Tony Lupo joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” to preview the event. Mr. Lupo tells listeners that the speaking lineup for next week is impressive. He also says the 19th state senatorial seat is winnable, despite the fact Cooper County is no longer in the district. Former State Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) is expected to be the Democratic nominee, and he’s been raising money for the race. The seat has been in GOP hands since Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) unseated then-State Sen. Chuck Graham (D-Columbia) in 2008:
(AUDIO): Mizzou atmospheric scientist Tony Lupo previews Boone County Lincoln Days
Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek will be the keynote speaker at next Monday evening’s (April 17) Boone County Lincoln Days event at Columbia’s Stoney Creek Inn and Resort. Dinner begins at 6, and the program starts at 6:30. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will be the special guest speaker. Mr. Ashcroft is running for governor. Mizzou atmospheric science professor Tony Lupo joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” to preview the event. Mr. Lupo tells listeners that the speaking lineup for next week is impressive. He also says the 19th state senatorial seat is winnable, despite the fact Cooper County is no longer in the district. Former State Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) is expected to be the Democratic nominee, and he’s been raising money for the race. The seat has been in GOP hands since Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) unseated then-State Sen. Chuck Graham (D-Columbia) in 2008: