Gary Dusenberg

KMBC's Micheal Mahoney has published the endorsements of the Jackson County TEA party.  The organization has awarded "A" grades to Sen. Chuck Purgason in the U.S. Senate race, former Rep. Vicky Hartzler in the Fourth Congressional District, Ambassador Thomas Schweich in the Auditor's race and Rep. Gary Dusenberg in the 8th State Senate District primary. 

Read the whole list here.

I guess this new TV ad from Rep. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit) attacking Rep. Bryan Pratt (R-Blue Springs) means that he isn't worried about Rep. Gary Dusenberg (R-Blue Springs) in the SD8 primary. 

Note that Kraus and Bill Stouffer are using the same DC media firm, CRAFT | Media / Digital. 

Rep. Gary Dusenberg (R-Blue Springs) breaks the news: "pay to play" exists in the state legislature.

“Whether we admit it or not, it exists,” said Rep. Gary Dusenberg, R-Blue Springs, in an appearance before the House Committee on Government Accountability and Ethics Reform. “When people with lots of money get to say what bills are heard or not, that is not fair. These incidents do not pass the smell test, folks. You can say that they do, but they don’t.” [..]

Dusenberg is unusual in the sense that few Republicans support the restoration of [campaign contribution] limits. He is also one of the few lawmakers speaking out about the “pay to play” accusations.

“It is what it is, and we have to correct it, and if you can’t take a stand on what you believe in, you should not be here in the first place,” Dusenberg said. “It reflects on the people down here in the General Assembly.”

Sources close to Rep. Brian Yates (R-Lee's Summit) report that the four-term legislator is expected to resign his seat in the coming days.  Yates is term-limited, and was previously thought to be in the hunt for the 8th District Senate seat, now held by Sen. Matt Bartle (R-Blue Springs).

With Yates' apparent departure, it's unclear who -- if anyone -- will step up to challenge Rep. Bryan Pratt (R-Blue Springs) for the SD8 seat.   Rep. Gary Dusenberg (R-Blue Springs) and Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross have been floated as possible primary contenders.  The latest news out of Jackson County is that three-term legislator Rep. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit) has begun exploring a bid for the 8th District Senate seat.  If Kraus decides to run, who will Yates and Bartle support?