Fun for the Whole Family: The Further Adventures of John and Gina with Adult Entertainment Lobbyists

As we noted this morning, Gina Loudon --a GOP senate candidate and wife of sitting Senator John Loudon-- was the recipient of a campaign check late in the first quarter from Ann Michael, lobbyist for the adult entertainment industry's trade group, the Missouri Association of Club Executives.  To borrow a phrase from Paul Harvey - "now, for the rest of the story"...

According to insiders, the industry's contribution to Gina Loudon has quite an interesting pedigree. 

John Loudon sponsored a bill this session, SB714, that related to criminal sexual offenses.  As that bill moved through committee, Sen. Matt Bartle offered a committee substitute that added provisions to the bill that would place legal restrictions on lap dancing, and the substitute passed out of the committee.  But when Loudon brought the bill to the Senate floor, he reportedly brought a Senate substitute for Bartle's Senate Committee Substitute that stripped (pardon the pun) out Bartle's prohibitions on lap dancing.

In other words, the adult entertainment industry (which was obviously very threatened by the Bartle provision) has already gotten some bang for the bucks that its lobbyist sent to Gina Loudon in March.  

In an aside that may or may not be related, capitol observers are noting that Senator Loudon has made clear that he'll be significantly more receptive this session to those lobbyists whose financial support indicates a desire to keep the 7th Senate District seat in the hands of a Loudon for the next eight years.