Kay
Hoffman
Fund-raising in the competitive 112th House District race, by no surprise, is tipping in favor of incumbent State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville).
With help from area plaintiff lawyers and union groups across the state, Hoffman has taken in more than $340,000 since July. He also had $449,964.68 available at the beginning of July.
But challenger Dwight Kay, a Republican from Glen Carbon, is not too far off Hoffman's recent fund-raising mark. Since Oct. 5, Kay has raised $145,433 with help coming largely from the state's House Republican Organization and the Illinois Republican Party. Since July, Kay has brought in a total of $295,650.88.
Kay, a vice president with Cassens Transport, is endorsed by business groups such as the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business. He is running on a platform of cutting spending and opposing tax increases.
Hoffman, who has held his seat since 1991, is campaigning as an independent voice for fiscal discipline. Teachers and trade unions endorse Hoffman.
Hoffman has received more than $70,000 from area attorneys. Asbestos firms or lawyers from Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd in East Alton and Gori Julian & Associates in Edwardsville have given Hoffman $60,000.
Hoffman is an attorney of counsel with the LakinChapman firm in Wood River.