Some KC Local Politicians Already Are Elelcted for 2013, No Opposition Files Against Them March 28, 2012

KC Star Political Columnist Steve Kraske has a wrap-up of some Kansas City area politicians who face no opposition to re-election. Filing for Missouri elected offices closed Tuesday.
“Former House Minority Leader Paul LeVota will be returning to Jefferson City next year, this time as a state senator.
LeVota, an Independence Democrat, ostensibly won the 11th District seat Tuesday when no other candidates filed for the seat.
“I miss serving the public,” said LeVota, who’s been out office for two years because of term limits.
State Sen. Kiki Curls, a Kansas City Democrat, also appears to have won a full term when she went unchallenged Tuesday in the 9th District in the eastern part of the city. Curls, a former House member, won the Senate seat in a special election last year.
No major surprises surfaced for statewide offices as the filing deadline passed at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
In perhaps the premiere area primary race this year, two Kansas City Democrats — state Rep. Jason Holsman and Jackson County legislator Crystal Williams — are set to square off in the new 7th District in south Kansas City. Filing for that office was extended until Friday, because another candidate recently withdrew from the race.
In the 17th District in the southwest corner of Clay County, state Rep. Ryan Silvey of Kansas City, a Republican, is being challenged by former Democratic state Rep. Sandra Reeves of Liberty.
In the 21st District east of Kansas City, incumbent Sen. David Pearce of Warrensburg is being challenged by fellow Republican Mike McGhee of Odessa.
In the 31st District south of Kansas City, Scott Larget of Clinton, Ed Emery of Lamar and Dave Morris of Peculiar, are running in the GOP primary. Democrat Charlie Burton of Drexel was the only Democrat to file.
The Missouri Supreme Court upheld new boundaries for state House districts based upon the 2010 census. The high court issued a one-sentence ruling Tuesday upholding the new districts.”
Here is the link to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Elections office where there is a full list of all candidates who filed for state office in 2012:

Read more here: http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/some-local-lawmakers-are-unchallenged-for-missouri-races/#storylink=cpy

Kobach Forms his Own PAC March 6, 2012

(AP)– Secretary of State Kris Kobach faced bipartisan criticism Monday for forming his own political action committee, with legislators saying it is inappropriate for the state’s chief elections officer to move so openly toward involvement in others’ partisan campaigns.
But Kobach said the legislators are criticizing him because he’s a conservative Republican and haven’t spoken up when past Kansas secretaries of state have been involved in politics.
“The hypocrisy is amusing,” he said.
Kobach formed the Prairie Fire PAC on Feb. 15 and listed himself as chairman, according to an organization statement he signed and filed with the state Governmental Ethics Commission. The statement does not list an affiliation with any group and describes Prairie Fire as a “leadership PAC.”
Prairie Fire’s creation went unnoticed at the Statehouse until Monday, when The Associated Press saw Prairie Fire’s name on an online list of PACs maintained by the ethics commission. By forming a PAC, Kobach can raise funds and spend money on political activities outside his own campaign committee.
Kobach, a former law professor, is already a national figure in debates over illegal immigration because he helped draft tough new laws in Alabama and Arizona. He has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and drawn criticism from top legislative Democrats for serving as the honorary chairman of a GOP state Senate candidate’s campaign.

Carnahan Tells Candidates Let Things Settle Down Before Filing for Office February 24, 2012

(AP) – Missouri officials are suggesting that people planning to run for state Senate wait until district boundaries are finalized before filing for office.

A redistricting commission has endorsed a new map for the 34-seat chamber, but the tentative plan cannot gain final approval until after a 15-day public comment period. The secretary of state’s office said the tentative plan was submitted Thursday. Written comments can be submitted to the state Office of Administration.

Candidate filing runs from Tuesday to March 27. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says that Senate candidates who file before the new map is approved can withdraw and refile in another district, but they’ll have to pay a second filing fee.

Candidates for Congress and the Missouri House can file in recently approved districts, although both face legal challenges.

Limits on Robo-Calls Advances, But Political Calls Exempted February 23, 2012

(AP) – The Missouri Senate has passed legislation that would forbid automated phone calls known as “robocalls” from going to numbers on the state’s no-call list.

The Senate backed the legislation in a 32-0 vote Thursday. It now goes to the House.

Political phone calls would be exempt from the new rule. But those political calls would have to include a statement saying which candidate or campaign paid for it.

People or groups who violate those rules could face a fine of up $5,000 for each violation.

Sponsoring Sen. Scott Rupp, a Wentzville Republican, says political calls can’t be banned because that could interfere with a candidate’s First Amendment right to free speech. But he says people should know which campaign is responsible for the call.

Missouri Senate Votes to Push Back Election Filing Period February 16, 2012

(AP) – The Missouri Senate has voted to push back the state’s candidacy filing period because of uncertainties over the boundaries for legislative districts.

The filing period is set to begin Feb. 28. But the Senate voted unanimously Thursday to delay the start of the filing period until March 27.

Senators hope that extension will allow enough time for a bipartisan redistricting commission to redraw state Senate districts in response to a Missouri Supreme Court ruling. In addition to the uncertainty of state Senate districts, lawsuits also are challenging new U.S. and state House district boundaries.

The legislation now goes to the House, which has about a week to pass and send it to the governor if the filing period is to be postponed.