By Eli Yokley COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon praised the service of University of Missouri-Columbia Chancellor Brady Deaton, after the university’s chief executive officer announced he would be stepping down later this year. “I greatly appreciate the years of…
Author Archive for Eli Yokley
Eli Yokley is editor in chief of PoliticMo, and also serves as a political contributor to The Joplin Globe and the St. Louis Business Journal. He can be reached at eli@politicmo.com.
A week after election, Smith lands committee spots and builds staff
by Eli Yokley •
— A lot can happen in seven days. Just ask newly sworn-in U.S. Rep. Jason Smith. Just a week after a decisive special election victory, Smith is getting settled in quickly as southeast Missouri’s new congressman – hiring a staff…
Obama administration aims $7.7 million at low-performing Missouri schools
by Eli Yokley •
– The Obama administration announced Wednesday that Missouri been awarded nearly $8 million to improve low-performing Missouri schools. The funds were marked from the Department of Education’s School Improvement Grant program. Those grants are awarded to state educational agencies that…
Nixon administration launches campaign against veto override of tax bill
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon went on the offensive Thursday, launching a public campaign against GOP-backed legislation that would enact the a big tax cut for Missouri’s top earners. Nixon vetoed the bill last week, but he and…
McCaskill, Koster pledge united front to win back seats in General Assembly
by Eli Yokley •
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Statewide Democrats presented a united front Saturday night, pledging the full weight of the state party moving forward to assist legislative Democrats as the look to compete harder for House and Senate seats in 2014. Party…
Deval Patrick focuses on national tones on Missouri trip
by Eli Yokley •
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick told Missouri Democrats the party should focus on touting their ideas as they move to elections in 2014 and 2016. Speaking at the Missouri Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner in downtown St.…
Democrats to gather for annual gala, mull future plans
by Eli Yokley •
Republican Jason Smith wins 8th district special election
by Eli Yokley •
SALEM, Mo. — For the first time in more than three decades, southeast Missouri will be represented by someone whose last name isn’t Emerson. Less than two hours after polls closed in southeast Missouri, it was clear that Republican State…
Jason Smith casts ballot in hometown
by Eli Yokley •
SALEM, Mo. – Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, a single car pulled into the rather empty parking lot at the Dent-Phelps County School. Out from it stepped state Rep. Jason Smith — flanked by two aides — as he…
Missouri Republican Party embraces Latino outreach program
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Republicans have signed on to a new effort attempting to reach out to Hispanic Republicans. In a letter to the Republican National Hispanic Assembly last week, party chairman Ed Martin officially endorsed the group’s newly…