Asbestos, mass tort and personal injury attorneys near and far factored heavily in Democrat C.J. Baricevic outraising first-term Republican Mike Bost in a contest for the 12th Congressional District.
Baricevic, son of St. Clair County Chief Judge John Baricevic, raised $231,145 in the first quarter to Bost’s $183,323.
Still, Bost had significantly more cash on hand at the end of March to the tune of $867,135 to Baricevic’s $323,564.
Bost, of Murphysboro, was first elected to Congress in 2014 to a seat which had been a Democrat stronghold for decades.
While the majority of Bost’s contributions in the first quarter came from political action committees; Baricevic’s came primarily from the plaintiff’s bar.
Since announcing last July, Baricevic has raised $546,853. Among those contributing to Baricevic include:
Nine partners at the Simmons asbestos firm based in Alton have contributed $1,000 apiece: John Simmons, Mike Angelides, Nick Angelides, John Barnerd, Perry Browder, Trent Miracle. Randy Cohn, Ted Gianaris, and Christopher Guinn.
Former Simmons partner Jeffrey Cooper has given the maximum individual contribution allowed in 2015 and this year for a total of $5,400.
Partners at the St. Louis asbestos firm Maune Raichle Hartley French and Mudd contributed $2,700 each: Barton French, Neil Maune, Nathaniel Mudd and Marcus Raichle.
Asbestos attorneys Beth and Randy Gori of Edwardsville each contributed $2,700; Gori attorneys Erin Beavers contributed $500 and Martavious Thomas contributed $250
Chicago-area trial lawyers also gave the maximum of $2,700: Robert Clifford, Keith Hebeisen, Joseph Power, Philip Corboy, Jr. and Kevin Conway.
Product liability attorney John Driscoll of St. Louis gave $2,700 this year and last.
Attorneys at Keefe and Keefe in Swansea also have donated the maximum, including two legal assistants and a receptionist who gave $2,700 apiece.
Dozens more Belleville area attorneys also have contributed to Baricevic.
So have sitting judges, former judges and a former U.S. Attorney.
Fifth District Appellate Court Justices Judy Cates has contributed $4,300 and Richard Goldenhersh, $500. Retired justice James Donovan contributed $90.
The candidate’s father, Chief Judge Baricevic, has given $2,700.
St. Clair County Associate Judges Richard Aguirre gave $350 and Randall Kelley, $320.
Retired Madison County circuit judge Daniel Stack contributed $500.
Former U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton, who stepped down last December to enter private practice, gave $1,500.
The heads of county government also contributed. Mark Kern, chairman in St. Clair County gave $2,700 and Alan Dunstan, chairman in Madison County, gave $500.
In the 2014 election, Bost defeated Democrat Bill Enyart of Belleville who held the office for one term. Enyart carried the torch for the Democrat party in 2012 after Jerry Costello chose not to seek re-election after having served in Congress 24 years.
Belleville attorney Alex Enyart, son of the former congressman, contributed $10 to Baricevic.