Friday May 8 2026
Missouri politics on Friday, May 8, 2026, feels less like a legislative session and more like the season finale of a reality show called “Jefferson City: Filibusters & Feelings.”
First up, Bill Eigel who has run for every office in Missouri except Assistant Manager at Buc-ee’s. One week it’s governor, the next it’s Congress, now it’s St. Charles county executive. Somewhere in O’Fallon there’s probably a kid opening a lemonade stand and suddenly hearing: “I’d like to announce my candidacy.” Eigel continues to campaign like a man fueled entirely by black coffee, Facebook Live streams, and unresolved anger at moderate Republicans.
Meanwhile, Dave Schatz remains the Missouri political version of your uncle who quietly owns 400 acres and somehow controls half the room without raising his voice. Schatz pops up every election cycle like a guy emerging from a deer blind saying, “Well… I’ve been thinking.” Lobbyists immediately begin panic-texting each other while pretending they’re “just checking in.” And then he asks you to send in your receipts.
Then there’s Nick Schroer, who seems permanently set to “debate mode.” If there’s a microphone within 300 feet, Schroer is already halfway through a speech about liberty, parental rights, or why somebody somewhere is definitely violating the Constitution. Political observers say Schroer enters every committee hearing like it’s the steel cage match at WrestleMania.
Jefferson City insiders say the Missouri Senate cafeteria has now added three new menu items:
- Freedom Caucus Fury Chili
- Moderate Republican Mystery Meat
- And the “Filibuster Combo,” which takes 14 hours to arrive.
Rumors are also swirling that lawmakers may soon settle disagreements the old-fashioned Missouri way: by holding a press conference, going on three conservative radio shows, posting a vague tweet, and then claiming victory no matter what happened.
And finally, somewhere in Missouri tonight, a consultant is billing $18,000 to tell a candidate:
“Have you considered standing in front of a tractor?”