The Capitol has been minutely distracted over the past two weeks with the Whispering Gallery Invitational, a charity social media tournament hosted by the Missouri Times and sponsored by J. Pfenny’s Sports Grill and Pub.
Starting Monday, March 21 and ending Thursday, April 4 upon House adjournment, over 8,000 votes were cast in a March Madness style tournament for the Barklage Cup, boiling down 64 Twitter-savvy politicos with an array of institutional knowledge to just one, this year’s winner: Alex Eaton.
The 2016 Barklage Cup winner is Alex Eaton, lobbyist with the Catalyst Group. Eaton beat fellow former U.S. Sen. Kit Bond staffer and current lobbyist Sammy Panettiere with a 15-point margin.
“I am ecstatic to win this prestigious award,” Eaton, the Bill McKenna Region 12-seed, said. “I did not see it going this way. I had a tough go. My wife and I just moved to a new house, so I’m going to push to put the Barklage Cup on my mantle, but I’m not sure how my wife will feel about that. It might need to stay at the Catalyst headquarters in Jefferson City. No matter what, it will be displayed prominently.”
Eaton’s journey to the championship started against liberal operative Sean Nicholson to Speaker Todd Richardson, then legal and political extraordinaire Jane Dueker, the enigmatic Sen. Eric Schmitt, Rep. Jeremy LaFaver in the final four, and finally, Panettiere.
“It’s bittersweet, Sammy and I have gone back many years,” said Eaton, who joined the Catalyst Group in 2014.
Before joining Catalyst, Eaton worked in Sen. Mike Parson’s Senate office, on Sen. Kurt Schaefer’s campaign, and for the Missouri Biotechnology Association. Eaton interned in Bond’s office, whereas Panettiere previously served as Bond’s district director in Kansas City and now lobbies for Panettiere Public Affairs, which represents the City of Kansas City and many other clients.
Both Eaton and Panettiere brought heat in the championship, with Kansas City Mayor Sly James tweeting for votes for Panettiere and Jackson County Executive and Royals great Frank White lending support to Eaton.
Panettiere bowed gracefully, also toting his own Cinderella run, beating out Brian Grace, the heavy favorite to take it all, in the Elite 8.
“I’m happy it went to a fellow underdog,” said Panettiere. “It was fun and for a good cause.”
Dave Spence agreed again this year to donate $1 for each #BarklageCup used on Twitter to be donated to the Epilepsy Foundation. Spence was joined by several more participants and politicos in donating to the Foundation. Further donations can be made online at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/EpilepsyFoundationofMissouriK/TributesGiftsMemorials.html.
The Missouri Times thanks all who were tweeted, retweeted and voted in this year’s tournament, making it the most heavily voted in social media tournament hosted yet.
“I’m thrilled with the success of the 2016 Barklage Cup,” said publisher Scott Faughn. “Clearly the bracketologists have no idea what they’re talking about as newcomers brought some real heat to the tournament. It’s a real joy host this tournament each year during session for a great cause. ”
The Epilepsy Foundation provides programs, services and support in communities for those living with epilepsy, as well as encouraging innovation in accelerating new treatments and therapies. The Foundation also educates about proper seizure awareness, recognition and first aid.
Epilepsy, characterized by unpredictable seizures and causing other health problems, is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
