Which House race in the State of Illinois has run the most expensive campaign this season?
Would you guess a contest in Chicago or a collar county suburb where political power is consolidated?
Think again - it’s right here in the Metro-East, in the 111th District race between Democrat Rep. Monica Bristow of Alton and Republican Mike Babcock of Bethalto, reportedly a $3.4 million affair.
According to a piece in Capitol Fax Monday, since April 1, both the parties and outside groups have raised $2.4 million for Bristow and $1 million for Babcock.
“St. Louis Broadcast TV isn't cheap, which is why these numbers are so high,” the report says.
Bristow is facing her first election, having been appointed to the seat a day after Dan Beiser stepped down Dec.17, 2017, to spend more time with his family.
Beiser had held the seat since 2004. He also had initially been appointed to the seat after Steve Davis stepped down in 2004.
Babcock, serving as Wood River Township supervisor, ran against Beiser in 2016 and lost by a margin of 52.6 to 47.6 percent, a difference of 1,953 votes.
Bristow is backed by House Speaker Mike Madigan who has directly or indirectly spent at least $127,775 on her campaign through the end of October.