Jason Grill's Hissy Fit

Tentative details are emerging about resident ‘Big Deal’ and ‘Congressman’ Jason Grill’s switch to a statewide filing. It had a lot of people stumped, because there was no clear end game for Jason – which is what led us to conclude he was skipping the 2010 election cycle and biding his time for some new office.

But that still leaves questions about the unusual manner of his departure. Jason is known for his long term political calculations, and this decision was sudden, poorly timed and unexpected.

A simple explanation is being proposed that makes a lot of sense. It involves a petulant Jason facing a tough re-election bid and threatening to detonate his campaign unless fellow Democrats offer to help him out. The way he sees it, he shouldn’t have to waste his time and money struggling for his current seat.

But you can’t play ‘hard to get’ when no one wants you in the first place. His colleagues will be more than willing to call his bluff, if they haven’t already - leaving Jason with a problem.


(Artist’s interpretation, Jason Grill confronting his friends via online chat)

We don’t think he’ll be back, at least for a few years. Besides his ego, there’s another factor in play – it’s common knowledge he hates Jeff City and loves Columbia. His distaste for responsibility, and consequent recklessness with his political career, may have forced him into a self-imposed exile.