State Sen. Andy Manar

Two Metro East races remain among the 2018 election cycle’s costliest contests for the Illinois General Assembly, according to the most recent round campaign finance disclosures filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE). Campaign contribution reports covering the third quarter of 2017 were due in the ISBE offices on Jan.16.

The 48^th State Senate District remains the scene of the most highly contested state senate race in Illinois, according to the campaign tracking service Illinois Sunshine (www.IllinoisSunshine.com).

Democratic Incumbent State Sen. Andy Manar, along with Republican challengers Christopher Hicks and Seth McMillan, have so far raised a total of $689,493. However, Sen. Manar accounts for almost all of that; having raised $684,582 for his campaign treasurer. McMillan has raised only $4,365 and Hicks; just $546.

In the 56th State Senate District, Republican Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton has raised $11,390.32 so far for his campaign, but currently has just $4,638 left in cash on hand after raising nothing during the final quarter of last year. His apparent general election opponent, Rachelle Aud Crowe, an Edwardsville Democrat, holds a commanding fundraising lead; having so far raised a total of $157,268 —including $122,625 during the final quarter of last year – and currently retaining $134,583 in cash on hand after raising

In the 57th State Senate District, Republican Bob Romanik has officially contributed $50,000 to his campaign while GOP primary rival Tanya Hildenbrand of has yet to report any campaign funding.  In a memo recently filed with the ISBE, Romanik notified the board that he may spend considerably more of his personal assets on his campaign. Democrat Christopher Belt has raised $6,225.00 so far or his campaign — $1,225 during the fourth quarter of last year. He had $2,013 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Christopher Hicks, Republican candidate 48th State Senate District

In State Senate District 59, Incumbent Republican Dale Fowler has now raised $56,797; although he faces no opposition in either the March primary or the November general election, according to ISBE records

In the 107th State House District, Republican Blaine Wilhour has raised $11,670.00 since the start of this election cycle — $2,670 of that during the most recent reporting period.  His campaign had $1,104 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.  Fellow Republican Laura Myers (R) has raised $22,544.70 since launching her campaign; $11,919 of that collected during the most recent reporting period.

She reports a year-end campaign treasury balance of $11,892.  David Seiler, the sole Democrat running in the district, has still reported no campaign funding.  Incumbent Republican 107th District Rep. John Cavaletto is not running for reelection.

In the 108th State House District, incumbent Republican Rep. Charlie Meier now has collected a total of $91,311 in contributions for his campaign — with $19,220 donated during the most recent reporting period and $41,938 in cash on hand at year’s end.

Madison County Board member Don Moore of Troy, who has filed to challenge Rep. Meier in the March Republican primary, has still reported no campaign contributions. The district’s GOP primary winner is facing no Democratic opponent in the fall general election.

Seth McMillan, Republican candidate 48th State Senate District, with his family

In the 111th State House District, Republican Wood River Township Supervisor Mike Babcock has raised $19,169 so far over the course of his campaign — with $3,878 raised during the most recent reporting period and $8,089 remaining in his campaign treasury at year’s end.  The district’s newly appointed incumbent, Rep. Monica Bristow, has raised $12,500 — all during the last reporting period. Rep. Bristow, a Democrat, took office late last year after the surprise resignation of then-Rep. Dan Beiser.  She had $13,500 in her campaign treasury at year’s end.

In the 112th State House District, incumbent first-term Democrat Katie Stuart has to date raised a total of $161,154 for her campaign; most of that —$116,567 — during the most recent reporting period. She still had $135,559 in cash on hand at year’s end.

Republican former 112th District representative Dwight Kay has raised some $43,275 since announcing his campaign to retake the seat — $8,775 of that during the most recent reporting period. He still had $25,479 in his campaign treasury at the end of the year.

Rachelle Aud Crowe, Edwardsville Democrat for 56th State Senate District

Despite the official support of the Madison County Republican Central Committee, Kay’s GOP primary rival, Wendy Erhart, has garnered just $18,265.00 for her campaign; with $7,375 raised during the most recent reporting period. State records show $8,799 remained in her campaign treasury at year’s end.

The contest for the 113th State House District is now the third month expensive race for the Illinois General Assembly this year, according to Illinois Sunshine. Incumbent State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D) and Republican challenger Douglas Jameson have raised a total of $976,333 in campaign contributions.

However, Rep. Hoffman accounts for nearly all of that:  $952,685.  Jameson has so far raised only $23,647 for his campaign. Rep. Hoffman raised some $617,944 during the final quarter of 2017 alone.  His campaign treasury still had a balance of $786,685 at year’s end. Jameson raised $10,487 during the final quarter of last year and still had $17,198 in cash on hand at year’s end.

In the 114th State House District, Democrat LaToya Greenwood has raised $44,779 since announcing her candidacy; $18,751 during the most recent reporting period. Her campaign still had $22,865 in cash on hand at year’s end.  Republican challenger Jason Madlock has reported no campaign contributions.

Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton, Republican for 56th State Senate District

In the 116th State House District, incumbent Rep. Jerry Costello has now raised a total of $349,907 for his campaign — $129,699 of that during the most recent reporting period. The Smithton Democrat reported $171,922 in cash on hand at the end of the period. His GOP challenger, David Friess has so far raised $5,665 — with $1,300 of that coming during the most recent reporting period.  He had $3,841 on hand in his campaign treasury at year’s end.

—- Two local general assembly races among state’s most expensive —-