Capitol Calling

Davis rules out auditor's race

Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, will not be running for state auditor next year.

Davis, a term-limited representative who established a "statewide" campaign finance committee, said in a press release she is endorsing House Budget Chairman Allen Icet's bid for auditor. She also used the release to criticize GOP candidate Thomas Schweich, Icet's main rival in the auditor contest.

“I plan on being a candidate in 2010, but not for Missouri State Auditor,” Davis said in a statement. "Allen is the best candidate Missourians could ask for in a State Auditor. Not only is Allen a proven fiscal conservative, but he is the only candidate who has experience in balancing a state budget."

I'm not sure how Davis would have fared in either a GOP primary or a general election cycle, especially given her penchant for making controversial statements. But there's a common political theory out there about how a female candidate can have an advantage in a three or four-way primary. That's one of the theories some have made about how Sandra Thomas won the 2006 GOP auditor primary.

Of course, that aforementioned theory didn't help Danie Moore win last year's Republican primary for the U.S. Ninth District House seat. And Clint Zweifel prevailed in a contested Democratic primary for state treasurer that also featured a female candidate. So, the theory is not bulletproof.

Senators back Schweich

A group of Missouri state senators backed Thomas Schweich's bid for state auditor today.

In addition to nabbing the support of Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, Schweich was endorsed by Sens. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, and Bill Stouffer, R-Napton.

The new release included a quote from Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder that actually contained very, very, very light profanity.

"He impresses the hell out of people with his qualifications, his commitment to public service and his solid fiscally conservative credentials," said Kinder in his statement. "His campaign is succeeding because he is convincing people he is the right person to protect our hard earned tax dollars."

Schaefer alluded to his upset win over then-Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, in his statement backing Schweich.

“I know what it’s like to run against an incumbent in an uphill battle and win," said Schaefer. "I believe Tom has the tenacity, experience and drive to do the same in 2010. He is the best candidate for the job and for Missourians.”

Worth noting is both Schaefer and Schweich have been supported in the past by former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, R-Missouri. Danforth headlined a fundraiser last year for Schaefer's Senate campaign. He also has been seen as one of Schweich's key supporters.

In some ways, the GOP primary for auditor has some commonality with the 2006 campaign. A number of state senators endorsed state Sen. John Loudon's auditor bid, while a number of state House members backed state Rep. Jack Jackson, R-Wildwood. Both were defeated by then-Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas.

But it's also worth noting that House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, has been endorsed by Sens. Jim Lembke, R-Lemay, Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville, and John Griesheimer, R-Washington. So the Senate-House split is not absolute.

The winner of the GOP primary will face state Auditor Susan Montee, the Democratic incumbent.

GOP auditor primary getting testy

It seems that both major Republican candidates for state auditor are getting ahead of themselves.

That is to say that Thomas Schweich and House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, are scuffling over future elections.

Schweich fired the first volley in an interview with KY3 political reporter David Catanese. The former diplomat and ambassador said that he would fill out his first term as auditor if he were the "consensus candidate."

Icet shot out a press release today promising to serve a full-term as auditor if he's elected.

“Missourians deserve a State Auditor focused on protecting their tax dollars, not someone scheming to move on to a more prestigious office. Though my opponent might view the job as a mere stepping stone to get back inside the D.C. Beltway, I believe it’s one of the most important jobs in Missouri – and a job worthy of my full attention," Icet said in a statement.

The tiff is rather odd, mainly because it seems to overlook the fact that precedent is against either candidate prevailing in November 2010. Down-ballot incumbents rarely lose re-election campaigns, although both candidates seem to have the fundraising support and organization to be competitive against state Auditor Susan Montee.

On a somewhat similar note, Schweich called on Icet to step down as chairman of the House Budget Committee. He praised Sen. Gary Nodler's decision to resign as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman to focus on his congressional bid.

"The state auditor is required to be independent of all outside influences. Unfortunately, Rep. Icet. has chosen a different course," Schweich said in a statement. "I encourage him to do the right thing and step down as budget chair while he pursues the office of state auditor."

In an interview with the AP, Icet reiterated that he would stay on as the chairman of the powerful committee.

Kinder backs Schweich

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder threw his support behind Tom Schweich bid for state auditor.

Kinder, the only Republican currently serving in statewide office, made his support official today after the Washington University law professor announced the backing via a press release.

“Tom is a patriot who has served the American people uncovering the truth in the Waco Investigation, rooting out waste and fraud at the United Nations, and fighting drug trafficking, money laundering, and corrupt regimes around the world,” Kinder said in a statement. “He is fiscal conservative, respected author on financial responsibility and a rarity, in that he will be the impartial voice Missouri taxpayers deserve in the auditor’s office. I know Tom will be tenacious in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, working everyday to protect taxpayers.”

It's fair to say that the race for the GOP nomination - which will also include House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood - will be a big test for Kinder's organization.

Kinder's political structure was instrumental in getting Blaine Luetkemeyer to Congress and a number of Republican candidates into the state Senate last year. The match against Icet - who has support of nearly every Republican state House member - could be test whether Kinder's organization is still strong enough to help others prevail.

Regardless, both Icet and Schweich face the task of upending incumbent state Auditor Susan Montee. Few downballot statewide incumbent ever lose re-election bids.

Schweich makes auditor bid official

Thomas Schweich, a Washington University law professor who served in a number of a posts in George W. Bush's administration, made his bid for state auditor official today.

Schweich, a Republican who previously toyed with the idea of running for the U.S. Senate, is promising to be "independent" and "a fiscal hawk" if he's elected. He said tracking federal stimulus money will be his foremost priority if he wins next year.

Schweich served in a number of capacities before becoming a professor at Washington University. He was chief of staff for John Danforth when the former U.S. Senator from Missouri served as ambassador to the United Nations. Most recently, Schweich was appointed as an ambassador in charge of stemming the drug trade in Afghanistan.

Schweich's entry into the race essentially gurantees a Republican primary. House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, entered the race in June and released a list of legislative endorsements today.

Both Schweich and Icet will also be running against precedent. The winner of the primary will face state Auditor Susan Montee, a Democrat from St. Joseph. Down-ballot incumbents rarely lose re-election contests in Missouri.

Schweich stopped by Columbia today to announce his auditor bid. Here are a couple of videos of Schweich answering questions from the media:

Icet raises ante as Schweich announces

House Budget Chairman Allen Icet is raising the ante, so to speak, in his quest for auditor.

Icet, R-Wildwood, sent out a press release today noting endorsement by dozens of members of the Missouri House. The full list can be found on his Web site.

“I am honored and gratified today to release the following endorsements of my campaign to be the next Auditor of the State of Missouri. This list of colleagues in the Missouri House speaks for itself," Icet said in a statement.

Included on the list is House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, House Speaker Pro Tem Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs, and House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville. <strike>Two</strike> Four state senators - Sens. Jim Lembke, R-Lemay, Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville, John Griesheimer, R-Washington, and Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau - also backed Icet's bid.

The list comes as Thomas Schweich is embarking on a statewide tour to announce his auditor bid. Schweich - a law professor at Washington University who formerly served in George W. Bush's administration - was previously mulling a bid for the U.S. Senate. He later endorse U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield.

The winner of the Republican primary will likely face incumbent state Auditor Susan Montee. Montee, a first-term Democrat, has said she will run for re-election.