Democrat candidates for circuit judge in St. Clair County raised nearly $150,000 combined in the first quarter, according to records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, while their Republican counterparts collected no campaign contributions.
The committee for Associate Judge Kevin Hoerner, Democrat, reeived $47,125 in itemized contributions; $5,450 in non-itemized contributions and $6,800 in transfrers from other committees. Lawyers and law firms were the primary source of funding.
Hoerner's former law firm, Becker, Hoerner & Ysursa of Belleville, was the biggest donor at $5,000.
Committee to Elect Kevin T. Hoerner is chaired by Andrew Hoerner and Garrett Hoerner serves as treasurer.
Since the beginning of April, Hoerner's committee pulled in another $33,500 in contributions.
Hoerner will face O'Fallon attorney Paul Evans in the November general election. While Evans did not raise any funds in the first quarter, his treasury had a balance of $11,875.
Evans' committee, Citizens for Paul J Evans, is chaired by George Obernagel, III and David Snyder serves as treasurer.
Hoerner and Evans are seeking the vacancy of former circuit judge Stephen McGlynn, who was elevated to federal judge at the Southern District of Illinois. McGlynn was nominated by President Trump in April 2020.
The other contested seat in St. Clair County is the vacancy of former circuit judge Ronald Duebbert, who was removed from office by the Judicial Inquiry Board in January 2020, after a finding that he misled police during the Carl Silas murder investigation. The case remains unsolved and Duebbert has an active malicious prosecution case against county officials.
Associate Judge Patrick Foley, Democrat, received $65,254 in itemized contributions; $6,871 in non-itemized contributions and $7,700 in transfers from other committees.
Lawyers and law firms were the biggest contributors to Foley's campaign.
Mass tort/class action attorney John Driscoll, with offices in Belleville and St. Louis, contributed $10,000.
Belleville firms Becker Hoerner, Hipskind & McAninch and Weilmuenster & Keck each contributed $5,000.
Rich, Rich, Cooksey and Chappell of Fairview Heights and Law Office of Van Lear Eckert of Belleville each contributed $2,000.
Foley's committee, Comm to Elect Patrick R Foley Circuit Judge, is chaired by Chet Kelly and John Craig Simpson serves as treasurer.
Foley will face Republican Circuit Judge William Stiehl, Jr. in the general election. Stiehl was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill the Duebbert vacancy in May 2020.
Stiehl has not established a campaign finance committee with the State Board of Elections.