Mike Johnson will be the most extreme speaker of the House in history, and his deeply unpopular MAGA agenda will be an absolute disaster for Missouri families.
He won his party’s vote by passing every MAGA litmus test — leading efforts to overturn the 2020 election, pass a national abortion ban, and slash Social Security and Medicare for millions of Missouri seniors.
Come November 2024, Missouri Republicans like Jason Smith, Ann Wagner, Mark Alford, Eric Burlison, Sam Graves, and Blaine Luetkemyer will have to answer to Missourians for putting their extreme MAGA agenda ahead of Missouri families.
Here are the facts about Johnson:
- Johnson was a leader in the fight to overturn the election and subvert our democracy — and pushed his Republican colleagues to get on board.
- Johnson is an anti-abortion extremist who backs a national abortion ban.
- Johnson supports many of the most extreme, unpopular parts of the MAGA agenda — including slashing Social Security and Medicare.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), the latest GOP nominee for Speaker, on Wednesday as appearing to be an “extreme right-wing ideologue” based on his legislative track record.
“I don’t know Mike Johnson well. Based on his track record, he appears to be an extreme right-wing ideologue,” Jeffries said in an interview on “CNN This Morning.”
Jeffries attacked Johnson for his positions on abortion access, Social Security and Medicare. He also attacked Johnson for his role in supporting then-President Trump’s efforts to remain in power in 2020.
Read more at TheHill.com
NEWS
Records show Dean Plocher charged the state for travel already paid for by his campaign
The top lawmaker in the Missouri House filed false expense reports numerous times since 2018 and began paying back the money he received last week
Weeks after his return from a conference in Hawaii, Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher was trying to convince legislative staff to reimburse him for the cost of his trip.
He’d filed an expense report that included $1,199.60 for a plane ticket to represent Missouri at the 2023 Uniform Law Commission conference, but he was informed he’d missed his window. The ticket was purchased in January, and it was already August — well outside the 90-day timeframe laid out in House rules to file for reimbursement.
Plocher pled his case in an Aug. 11 phone call and letter to Chief Clerk of the House Dana Miller, arguing this was official business and he’d saved taxpayer money by buying the ticket early and getting a good deal. He filed for reimbursement, he wrote, as soon as he got back to Missouri.
Read more at TheMissouriIndependent.com
MO Senator Ben Brown Sued Again for Violating Minimum Wage Law
It’s the second lawsuit against the GOP politician and owner of Satchmo’s Bar and Grill
A second person is now suing a Missouri state senator saying he failed to pay the wages required by law to employees of his Chesterfield restaurant.
Before being elected to the Missouri Senate in 2022, Ben Brown (R-Washington) entered the public fray surrounding pandemic lockdowns in late 2020 when his Satchmo’s Bar and Grill refused to close for indoor dining before being shut down by county health inspectors. Brown rode his defiance of St. Louis County Executive Sam Page to his spot in Jefferson City.
Read more on TheRiverfrontTimes.com
Please join MDP in sending our support for the lives lost and forever changed by this mass shooting.
On Thursday, President Biden said, “Enough. I urge Republican lawmakers in Congress to fulfill their duty to protect the American people. Work with us to pass commonsense gun reforms. This is the very least we owe every American who will now bear the scars — physical and mental — of this latest attack in Maine.”
Mike Hamra to run for governor, challenging Crystal Quade
in the Democratic primary
After much speculation, Mike Hamra made it official — he’s running for Missouri governor in 2024.
His candidacy as a Democrat sets up a showdown between him and Crystal Quade to win the party’s primary in August.
“I believe I’m the best candidate to put our state on a path towards greater opportunity and prosperity,” Hamra said. “I was born and raised in the state, and I live here. Missouri is a good place but could be a great place.”
Read more at NewsLeader.com
Click to Watch Mike Hamra Campaign Video
Democratic Legislative Network!
We’re excited to team up with Missouri House Democrats to build a stronger Democratic Legislative Network!
We invite you to join us on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. to hear from legislators, get #MoLeg updates, and action items for you to take to make a difference. Sign up here
ON THE CALENDAR
Re-Election Campaign Kickoff for Kathy Steinhoff
Monday, October 30, 2023 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CT
Shakespeares Downtown, 225 S 9th St, Columbia, MO 65201
Hosted by Kathy Steinhoff
Campaign Kickoff and Fundraiser. Pizza will be provided
Election Preparation hosted by the Vernon County Democrats
Sat., Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m., The Eagles Lodge, 3313 E. Austin Blvd., Nevada. Plan for a night of entertainment, food and discussion as we prepare for the 2024 election cycle. More information: Vernon County – Google Docs or go to: Vernon Co. Missouri Democrats – Tickets (vernoncomodems.com)
Andrea Denning’s Kick Off Party
COMMUNITY EVENT
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CT
Events At Greenbrier, 626 Main St, Weston, MO 64098
Hosted by Andrea Denning
Come help us celebrate and kick off Andrea Denning for Missouri District 13.
Johnson County Soup Festival
COMMUNITY EVENT
November 4, 2023 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CT
Warrensburg Senior Center, 445 E Gay St, Warrensburg, MO 64093$10 at the door. Great soups, chilli, breads, salad and deserts. Silent auction, candidate speeches and great Democrats to visit with.
Intro to the New Primary System
MEETING
November 6, 2023 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CT
Weber Road Branch, 4444 Weber Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63123
Did you know there’s a new party-based system in Missouri for the 2024 presidential primary election? Soon there will be much talk of delegates and caucuses. Be in the know! More importantly, be certain you are eligible and prepared to participate in the Democratic process. Members of the South County Democratic Club will give an important presentation on the new system for the Democratic Party-Run Presidential Preference Primary Election. You won’t want to this!
Ugly Sweater Caucus – City-County Holiday Party
COMMUNITY EVENT
December 13, 2023 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM CT
Teamsters Hall Local 682, 5730 Elizabeth Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63110
Join the St. Louis City and County Democrats at our annual Holiday Party at Teamsters Hall Local 682. There will be food and drink, an online auction, 50/50 raffle and the Ugly Sweater Caucus Competition! This event will sell out, so get your tickets quickly.
