JEFFERSON CITY — If there have been election proposals up for hearings within the Missouri Basic Meeting this session, likelihood is James Harris was in attendance.
Harris, a Missouri lobbyist, was a typical face testifying in favor of Republican-sponsored adjustments to the initiative petition course of and election legal guidelines. Testimony from Harris was so widespread within the committee that it turned a lighthearted level if he missed per week.
“I really feel unhappy it’s been two weeks (since) I’ve been in a position to testify earlier than the committee,” Harris stated jokingly throughout a return to the committee.
One among Harris’ purchasers, and the one he has represented in elections hearings, is the Alternative Options Challenge. The group advocates largely for conservative laws throughout the nation and relies in Naples, Florida.
Harris has testified on behalf of the Alternative Options Challenge on about 30 payments this session. About half have been for elections or initiative petition adjustments.
Harris began representing the group in 2017. The group has additionally achieved work in different states corresponding to Kansas, Iowa and Mississippi. The latest monetary assertion on the group confirmed about $2.6 million in income in 2019.
Alternative Options Challenge is taken into account a “darkish cash” group as a result of it’s a nonprofit organized underneath Part 501(C)(4) of the U.S. tax code, which permits it to maintain its donors secret. A number of calls to the group’s headquarters weren’t returned.
Primarily based on the group’s web site, certainly one of its longtime lobbying points has been rolling again welfare advantages, however after the 2020 elections, the group expanded its advocacy to coverage on election administration. An instance is HB 2389, sponsored by Rep. Bennie Cook dinner, R-Houston, which might stop non-public entities from donating cash to elections authorities.
The group’s base in Naples has drawn the ire of Democrats on the committee and even made its approach to Home debate. One Republican justification for initiative petition adjustments mentions out-of-state fundraising influencing assist of citizen-made poll measures.
Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, famous this in a number of hearings, rhetorically asking the place the Alternative Options Challenge was from.
“Lovely Naples, Florida,” Harris responded as soon as.
Harris himself is considerably of a family title across the Missouri legislature. He has labored in Missouri politics for almost 20 years, with stints as an adviser to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and Gov. Mike Parson. Harris’ late father-in-law, Mike Lair, was a state consultant.
Harris additionally served because the political director for former Gov. Matt Blunt’s marketing campaign and the Republican redistricting director for the state Senate in 2001. In 2006, he based his personal Missouri lobbying agency, James Harris and Co.
At one listening to in January, he launched himself with a particular credential.
“For the document, James Harris. Native and lifelong Missourian,” he stated.