MD PoliBlog

Haley eyes Senate bid

Haley eyes Senate bid: "A Kansas state senator says he will decide in another month whether to jump into the race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

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(Via Topeka Capital-Journal - Legislature.)

Update: Ethics Panel Clears Tiahrt.

Update: Ethics Panel Clears Tiahrt.: "

Kansas Congressman and US Senate candidate Todd Tiahrt was cleared of any wrong doing today by the House Ethics Committee.
An earlier post on this web site suggesting the investigation should continue was inadvertently based on an earlier report. That post was removed. The author, Micheal Mahoney, deeply regrets the error.
Last year Tiahrt and several other members of Congress were investigated by the Ethics panel. The allegation was the Members steered Congressional earmarks to companies in return for campaign contributions. The Ethics investigation did not find any evidence of that in Tiahrt’s case. A statement from the panel was released today.
‘Today I received absolute vindication,’ said Tiahrt in a statement. ‘This comes as no surprise because there was never anything to justify a review in the first place. The process referenced in the report reflects the same professional and objective procedures followed in my office for reviewing and requesting defense-related projects for Boeing and other reputable Kansas-based companies that employ thousands of Kansas workers in my district.’ The probe centered on a now disbanded. Washington lobbing firm PMA.
It looked at how government contracts were awarded and if there links to campaign contributions.
Tiahrt always denied there was ever any quid pro quo for the contracts or the contributions.
Tiahrt’s statement also said ‘Democrats and Republicans on the Standards Committee all concluded Tiahrt had not violated ‘any law, regulation, rule or other applicable standard of conduct.’

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(Via 20 Pounds Of Headlines.)

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! Allen Dillingham To Challenge Ed Ford For City Council!!!

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! Allen Dillingham To Challenge Ed Ford For City Council!!!: "

Far across the river in Kansas City there's a Northland City Council race that has people throughout this town chatting about political fortunes.

Everybody knows John Dillingham in Kansas City political circles, he owns a big construction company and he's one of the area's top political donors. His son Allen Dillingham has been wanting to make a splash in local politics and thinks the City Council race is the right place.

Funny thing: Allen Dillingham initially wanted to challenge incumbent City Council Dude Russ Johnson but it was explained to him the In-District races are won primarily on shoe leather. Dillingham The Smaller didn't want any part of a time consuming grass roots campaign so he quickly switched up his plans.

Additionally, Johnson has already beat Jeff Roe's last candidate who had more money and a bigger organization. So the decision to run At-Large was an easy sell to an aspiring politico who still seems to be finding his footing.

Dillingham, with his Builders' Association Connection, has now set his sights on Ed Ford's Council Seat and I think it's gonna be one of the most fun, interesting, mean-spirited upcoming City Council competitions.

Why?

Basically, because the Northland's loyalties are up for grabs.

People who vote in the 2nd District aren't really in love with Ford and he has a few curious moves that might have alienated the significant contingent of Conservative, affluent and sometimes reactionary voters. Meanwhile, more grass roots and community minded Northlanders have told TKC that Ford isn't really a Northlander at heart and several collaborations with Council folk Riley, Sharp, Marcason and Gottstein might speak to this concern. Generally, TKC respects a great deal of Ford's work if only for his solo anti-nuke vote and the fact that he has consistently pointed out Mayor Funky's stupidity.

Meanwhile, so far Dillingham seems to be an empty suit and only the most connected Northland folks know what he's about . . . BUT his lack of experience against a City Council that has garnered a great deal of negative perception might be beneficial.

The KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS who have provided background on this post think this is a 'race to watch' that just might determine the character of the next City Council.

I would note that the composition of characters on the 22nd Floor of City Hall couldn't get any worse but I think we all know that's just wishful thinking.

Developing . . .

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(Via Tony's Kansas City.)

January taxes $1 million low

January taxes $1 million low: "It may be mid-June before the state knows if another budget-cutting special session of the Legislature is needed, Gov. Heineman says."

(Via Omaha World-Herald > Metro/Region.)

Mark Lakers Impresses In Opening Days Of Gubernatorial Campaign

Mark Lakers Impresses In Opening Days Of Gubernatorial Campaign: "As you've most likely heard by now, Nebraska Democrats have themselves a gubernatorial candidate - Mark Lakers, a 50 year-old agribusiness investor from Omaha who appears likely to face five-year incumbent Republican Dave Heineman on the November ballot.

Some interesting stories have come to light about Mr. Lakers leading role in the lawsuit that ended Nebraska's ban on corporate farming. 'Other than that, we know that his only prior run for elected office was an unsuccessful school board campaign, that he's contributed money to candidates from both major political parties, and that he's evidently been quite a successful businessman. 'There's a little bit more than eight months before the 2010 general election for Nebraska voters to fill in the gaps and make their judgment of the candidate's qualifications, message, and vision.

For now, it's a good sign that the Lincoln Journal-Star's Don Walton walked away from his first interview with Lakers sounding thoroughly impressed:

Meet Mark Lakers. 'Smart, confident, organized, soft-spoken. 'All first impressions during a half-hour sitdown at The Mill.

Lakers didn't just suddenly leap into the race for governor. 'He has thought about it and crafted a strong economic development message tethered to his skills and experience.

And he's given some consideration to what comes next. 'Lakers plans to identify and hire a couple of key campaign staffers within the next few weeks. Start raising money. Begin traveling the state. Mount TV ads this summer. 'And broaden his campaign message beyond the economic development theme only after study and consultation....

OK, we've got a race. 'Should be fun.

Walton also warns Lakers, 'There's not room for many mistakes or missed opportunities in a contest with Dave Heineman,' noting that Heineman is 'skilled at probing for weaknesses, identifying hot-button issues, creating advantages and exploiting them.' 'In other words, he's the consummate politician - an approach that helped Heineman rise the ranks of the Republican Party and get elected in 2006 but which has resulted in a significant lack of leadership from the Governor's Mansion ever since.

If this state is going to right its course, Nebraska Democrats finally recruiting a gubernatorial candidate is one very big step in the right direction. 'And, although their candidate is still wholly unproven on the campaign trail, Lakers at least has the potential to give Heineman the strong challenge that many had begun to doubt during the last few months.

We'll surely be hearing a lot more about Mark Lakers very soon. 'Stay tuned.

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(Via New Nebraska Network - Front Page.)

The Dem's Gov candidate

The Dem's Gov candidate: "**See post updates below** The latest name for the Democratic Nebraska Governor candidate: Mark Lakers, President of Ag and Food Associates a middle market merger and acquisition investment bank in Omaha. Previously of McCarthy and Co and First National Bank. We are hearing that this is the guy Dems want to challenge Dave Heineman. Laker's list of contributions to various Democrat candidates

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(Via Leavenworth Street - the talk of Nebraska politics.)

Iowa Politics Insider: Bill has CEOs sign off on political messages

Iowa Politics Insider: Bill has CEOs sign off on political messages: "
Democratic lawmakers said they know a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling opens the door for unlimited corporate money in Iowa politics, but they’d like to make sure Iowa’s law reveals as much as possible about who’s behind campaign messages."

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Rants quits race for governor

Rants quits race for governor: "
Republican Christopher Rants’ abandonment of his bid for governor Thursday left others to question what the veteran Iowa House leader will do with almost 20 years of government and budget experience when he leaves the Capitol next year."

(Via DesMoinesRegister.com - Politics.)

Corrigan accuses Dooley of requiring top county aides to contribute to his campaign

Corrigan accuses Dooley of requiring top county aides to contribute to his campaign: "

Posted 4:15 p.m. Fri., 02.19.10 - A spokesman for St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley (left) sharply denied this afternoon the renewed accusation from Republican rival Bill Corrigan that top county governmental officials are required to donate 1 percent of their salary to Dooley's re-election. Corrigan's campaign said Friday that it had tallied 25 such donations over the past year. Dooley spokesman Mac Scott says aides who donate to Dooley do so 'because they support Charlie.'

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(Via St. Louis Beacon.)

Icet rolls out another state Senate supporter right before filing begins

Icet rolls out another state Senate supporter right before filing begins: "

Posted 11:15 a.m. Mon., 02.22.10 - State Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood and a candidate for state auditor, rolled out this morning an endorsement from state Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter. The endorsement comes on the eve before candidate filing begins Tuesday.''Icet, of course, is competing against St. Louisan Tom Schweich, a former ambassador in the Bush administration

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(Via St. Louis Beacon.)