MD PoliBlog

Iowa Political Insider: Miller-Meeks to run for Congress again

Ottumwa doctor Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Monday will officially announce a second run against Dave Loebsack for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Third GOP candidate targets Boswell

Third GOP candidate targets Boswell: "
State Sen. Brad Zaun’s formation of a campaign organization Wednesday to seek Iowa’s 3rd District U.S. House seat means three Republicans now hope to face U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell next year.

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Democrat wins House special election in Cedar Rapids

Democrat Kirsten Running-Marquardt appeared Tuesday night to have scored a landslide win in the special election in Iowa State House District 33, according to unofficial results."

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Spirit Lake Representative says he won’t run again

State Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake, will not run for a fourth term, a party official confirmed Tuesday.

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Poll results increase donations for Branstad

Recent Iowa Poll results showing Iowans prefer former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to Gov. Chet Culver have helped Branstad’s fundraising efforts."

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Politico: Missouri Senate Makes it’s Top 10 Flippers

The upcoming Missouri US Senate race between Democrat Robin Carnahan and Republican Roy Blount (presuming  he survives his primary), ranks as #8 on Politico’s list of  top senate seats that may flip in 2010.

No great revelations in the Missouri summary:

‘The race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Kit Bond offers Democrats one of their strongest pickup targets, as Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is almost certainly the strongest Democratic recruit of the cycle. Carnahan — the daughter of former Gov. Mel Carnahan and former Sen. Jean Carnahan — has already taken in more than $3 million for the contest. Rep. Roy Blunt, a former House GOP whip, avoided a tough primary against former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman, but he still faces an uphill general election battle.’

Here’s the Politico rankings;

1 Delaware  (D-open)

2. Connecticut (D-Dodd)

3. Colorado  (D-open)

4. Nevada (D-Ried)

5. Illinois (D-open)

6.Pennslyvainia (D-Specter)

7. Ohio (R-open)

8. Missouri (R-open)

9. Kentucky (R-open)

10. New Hampshire (R-open)

South Johnson County Road Binge Would Overwhelm Blue River Watershed ...

South Johnson County Road Binge Would Overwhelm Blue River Watershed ...: "

KCTribune.com

A five-county study of the Kansas City metro area in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation projects a need for some sort of east-west connector.
See all stories on this topic "

(Via user/05052837158869224534/state/com.google/alerts/9940136252291779396.)

Moore has had enough of House

With Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, reportedly ready to give up his 3rd Congressional District after six terms, is Kansas looking at an all-red delegation in 2011. Moore, who grew up in Wichita and was Johnson County’s district attorney for three terms, has survived aggressive GOP attempts to unseat him for the past decade in the heavily Republican district. The rush of heavy hitters interested in succeeding Moore include state Rep. Kevin Yoder, state Sen. Jeff Colyer and former state Sen. Nick Jordan. With three open House seats and one open Senate spot, Kansas’ congressional delegation will see more turnover in 2011 than it has since the 1990s, potentially leaving one-term Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, as the senior House member.

(Via WE Blog.)

Kansas budget chief: Next year likely to be worse

A day after the governor ordered a fifth round of budget cuts, the state's budget director warned that crafting next year's budget is likely to be even more difficult.

'We are in a very unprecedented situation,' Budget Director Duane Goossen told a House budget committee.

Kansas is in its fourth year of declining revenue. Before this recession, it hadn't had two years of revenue downturn in a row, he said.

(Via Kansas.com: State Government.)

Smith Named to Be KC Chamber Interim Chief

The Board of Directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce today unanimously approved the appointment of Kristi Smith Wyatt as interim president of The Chamber.  The search continues, meanwhile, for a successor to current president Pete Levi.  Levi is retiring December 31 after 19 years as head of The Chamber.

Wyatt has been with The Chamber since 1994, and serves as Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Policy Development.  The announcement was made Tuesday by Chamber Chair Peter deSilva (UMB).

‘Kristi has the knowledge and experience,’ deSilva said.  ‘Most importantly, she has the respect and admiration of our board members and her peers.  We’re very pleased that she’s agreed to step into the post as we continue the search for a new president.’  Wyatt says she is not a candidate to replace Levi, but is happy to serve in the interim.  Her appointment is effective January 1, 2010. 

Wyatt is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and began her career in government on the Washington staff of her hometown Congressman, the late Jerry Litton of Chillicothe.  She served as Chief of Staff to Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Richard Berkley for 11 of his 12 years in office. 

Levi, meanwhile, says, ‘Kristi was the obvious choice to handle the upcoming transition.  She’s well-respected by staff, and has the broad knowledge of the community and The Chamber the position requires.’

EFL Associates of Leawood, Kansas, is managing the search process; deSilva and Peter C. Brown (Grassmere Partners) co-chair the Selection Committee.

‘We’ve been pleased and, quite frankly, a little astounded by the sheer number of quality applicants,’ deSilva said.  ‘Obviously this is an important position – for The Chamber and the community – and the process will take as long as it takes.  To have Kristi at the helm until that person is in place is tremendously reassuring.’

(Via 20 Pounds Of Headlines.)