Hulshof slides on to anti-Jetton bandwagon
Without naming Speaker of the House Rod Jetton — who has announced his support for the gubernatorial bid of U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof — the Hulshof campaign today added to the call for an ethics reform proposal that targets Jetton.
In a unique bit of Republican unity, the campaign of Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder sent out a news release today announcing that Kinder, Hulshof, and Treasurer Sarah Steelman (Hulshof’s opponent in the Republican primary for governor) all agree on the proposal to make it illegal for an elected representative to be paid to consult for other elected representatives.
“I fully expect that this proposal will bring about much needed ethics reform to state government,” Hulshof said in a statement to Kinder’s campaign.
Hulshof becomes the third of the three Republicans to denounce Jetton’s consulting arrangement, following Steelman (who first made the push for a new law) and Kinder.
Jetton is expected to address the issue at a news conference in Jefferson City on Thursday. The pressure against Jetton built late in the Legislative session when House members at one point discussed trying to force the speaker to resign because of his actions opposing the “village law” repeal.
Jetton survived that coup attempt and remained defiant. Will that defiance continue on Thursday? With Kinder, Steelman and Hulshof all showing a united front, there seems to be serious pressure for Jetton to discontinue his dual role as speaker and consultant.
It’s nice to see Hulsholf following Steelman’s leadership. And Lager’s Leadership…..and Kinder’s leadership………. I guess it’s easy to be the fourth one on the Bandwagon. Maybe Kinder & Lager should be running for Governor with Steelman and Hulshof could run in a lower ticket race where he doesn’t have to make tough decisions.
It’s not about who was first or last, it’s about unified Republicans doing the right thing. Instead of acting like Democrats (Jeff Smith, Joe Aull, Chuck Graham, Chris Koster, John Bowman etc…), Republicans in Missouri take responsibility for their actions instead of using legal delay tactics, bullying and engaging in backroom dirty deeds. So, to repeat, it doesn’t matter which Republican came first, as long as they are united now! And guess what? At the end of the day, people will respect that.
I agree with Eric
This is a Good News story.
someday, maybe, it will be a
Business As Usual story.
If they run in a lower ticket race, can Sarah Steelman still run the positive issues-filled campaign she’s been running thus far?
Will campaign consulting be the only career opportunity banned for elected regpresentatives? Will Hulshof be able to consult on wine purchases and Steelman on rifle purchases? Can we ban them from consulting on real estate deals or tax schemes?
“Republicans in Missouri take responsibility for their actions instead of using legal delay tactics, bullying and engaging in backroom dirty deeds.”
Ha. There’s more baloney in that statement than a deli. Kinder and the rest of the gutless GOP did nothing while Jetton was speaker. Everyone knew what he was doing, but everyone looked the other way. That’s not courage, and it sure as hell ain’t leadership or taking responsibility.
Oh, and if you don’t think the GOP engages in backroom deals, you might want to ask Sarah Steelman about the state party’s support for Kenny Hulhof. They’re both qualified and respected candidates running in an open primary. So why is the state Republican Party working against her?
Steelman was way out front on this issue. That’s called guts and leadership.