Fundraising for one of three contested judicial races in Madison County has former asbestos lawyer and associate judge, Demcrat Barry Julian, with a self-funding advantage over Republican opponent, Circuit Judge Christopher Threlkeld.
To date, Julian has established a more than a 6-1 campaign cash lead with receipts of approximately $171,000 to $24,450.
Julian, who in part built his wealth pursuing asbestos litigation in Madison County - the nation's largest asbestos docket - has loaned his campaign $120,000. He also donated $20,000 and has provided an in-kind donation of $6,500 for rent at 1801 North Main, Edwardsville.
The Friends of Barry Julian committee also has raised approximately $25,000 in itemized contributions and transfers. None of the 11 non-Julian contributions have come from within the boundaries of Subcircuit 1, which includes western portions of the county.
Julian's expenditures, according to his D-2 quarterly report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, include printing, postage and office supplies.
He also paid Alton council woman and Madison County Housing Authority program coordinator Rosetta Brown $5,800 on primary election day for poll workers. According to a spokesperson for the State Board of Elections, if no individual poll worker was paid more than $150, their names do not need to be listed on expenditure reports.
Julian paid the Springfield law firm Sorling, Northrup, Hanna, Cullen $4,631.25 on June 13 for legal fees.
Judge Threlkeld, who sits by appiontment of the Illinois Supreme Court, began his campaign last year as a resident of Edwardsville.
But as a result of the state legislature's passage of a controversial judicial redistictring law, Threlkeld was drawn out of Subcircuit 1 and had to move his residence in order to be eligible to run for the vacancy. He moved to Wood River.
Another advantage Julian has enjoyed in the contest is that his address in the upscale Fox Creek neighborhood in Edwardsville was drawn into Subcircuit 1.
Two of Threlkeld's approximately 20 individual contributions to date have come from within Subcircuit 1.
He has received his greatest support from Jananne Threlkeld, who contributed $1,075 last year and $1,000 this August.
Edwardsville lawyer Brian Polinske gave Threlkeld $1,030 last year and Edwardsville lawyer Barbara Sherer gave him $1,000 in August.
Donald Weder of Highland Supply Corporation gave him $1,000 in August. As of Sept. 27, no one else had given Threlkeld $1,000 or more.
He's made expenditures for advertising, printing, yard signs and food for fund-raising.
He also paid $2,500 to Craney Law in Edwardsville and $1,500 to John Fogarty of Chicago for legal expenses.
Julian and Threlkeld seek election to the vacancy of David Dugan, who was appointed federal judge.
Other contests in Subcircuit 1 involve Circuit Judge Amy Sholar, Republican, against Ebony Huddleston, Democrat, for the seat of Richard Tognarelli, retired. Sholar, who also sits by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court, had announced her intention to run for the Tognarelli vacancy last year. To be eligible to run for the seat, she too had to move her residence as the redistricting legislation drew her out of Subcircuit 1.
Also, Associate Judge Ryan Jumper, Democrat, faces attorney Tim Berkley, Republican, for the William Mudge vacancy. Mudge will retire in December.