Mo4’s Hartzler, Stouffer Get ‘Contender’ Status from NRCC

Both Republican candidates in the western Missouri Mo4 primary have been conferred ‘Contender’ status by the NRCC.
What that means is that GOP handlers and handicappers have watched both campaign operations develop and seem pleased with their progress.
In a statement the NRCC described it as “‘Contender’ status is the second step in the three-level program, with (the candidates) now facing a new set of benchmarks to reach ‘Young Gun’ status in (the) bid to unseat incumbent Democrat Ike Skelton.”

Latest Obama Approval Numbers from Gallup

President Obama’s job approval rating on the economy (36%) is at its lowest point to date; his rating on foreign affairs (51%) is up slightly from last month. Americans give Obama his highest rating on education (54%), and his lowest on the deficit (32%). Read more at GALLUP.com.

Congressman Murtha Dead

Politico:
Rep. John Murtha has died at 77.

For more information…http://www.politico.com

Missouri Highway Patrol Gets New Superintendent

Gov. Jay Nixon today named Maj. Ronald K. Replogle as the new superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Replogle a 26-year veteran who rose through the ranks to become commander of the Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, will become superintendent following the retirement of Col. James F. Keathley at the end of February.

Kansas Secretary of State Resigns

The veteran Secretary of State for Kansas, Ron Thornburgh has announced his resignation. He’s leaving to take a job in the Kansas City area with a company that builds government web sites.

Thornburgh will move to the private sector and join NIC as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. NIC is the leading provider of official government portals, online services and secure government payment processing solutions. The company is based out of Olathe, Kansas.

“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve my fellow Kansans as Secretary of State for the last 15 years. My family and I have been very blessed by this opportunity. The support and friendships we have received from countless Kansans has been invaluable. Thank you to the voters and my staff for making this experience possible. I am very proud of my record and the many accomplishments throughout my years of public service,” said Thornburgh.

Thornburgh was first elected in 1994 and re-elected in 1998, 2002 and 2006. His current terms runs through january 2010.

It will be to Governor Mark Parkinson to  name a replacement.

“Ron deserves our thanks for his many years of service to Kansas and for the past 15 years as our Secretary of State; I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. As I begin the process of finding our new Secretary of State, I am committed to naming a Kansan who can represent the office with honor and distinction while protecting and assisting Kansas voters and businesses.”