Fundraising records show southern Illinois' two incumbent members of Congress have a substantial amount of money to spend for next year's elections.
Third quarter reports show freshman Republican Representative Mike Bost with nearly $650,000 on hand at the end of September - and his campaign took in almost a quarter of a million dollars from July through September.
Compare that to Bost's potential challengers - Democrats CJ Baricevic and Edward Vowell. Baricevic reported $103,500 on hand, raising almost $93,000. Vowell had $3,900 in the bank at the end of the quarter, and raised almost $42,000.
In the 18th District, Republican John Shimkus had $1.2 million in his campaign war chest at the end of September. His primary challenger, State Senator Kyle McCarter, filed his statement of organization after the third quarter reporting period- so fundraising totals aren't yet available.
