Illinois Rep. Mike Bost ahead of challenger in fundraising | McClatchy Washington Bureau

Republican Rep. Mike Bost has a solid fundraising lead over his Democratic challenger, C.J. Baricevic, the most recent federal campaign finance disclosures show.

Bost raised more than $330,000 in the three months ending June 30, while Baricevic raised slightly more than $200,000, according to Federal Election Commission documents.

While Baricevic slightly outpaced Bost in the first three months of the year, overall, Bost has raised more than $1.8 million to Baricevic’s $750,000. Bost has more than $1 million in cash on hand, while Baricevic has about $400,000.

SIGN UP

Bost is defending the southern Illinois 12th district seat he first won in 2014, defeating one-term Democrat Bill Enyart.

Bost has received help from a number of prominent Republicans. The political action committees of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, have contributed $10,000 each toward Bost’s re-election.

Bost also has enjoyed support from the PACs of his more senior Illinois colleagues. His campaign received $10,000 each from the PACs of Reps. John Shimkus and Peter Roskam. Bost got another $5,000 from the PAC of Republican Sen. Mark Kirk.

Bost, 55, of Murphysboro, serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture committees. Baricevic, 30, of Fairview Heights, is an attorney.

Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter, said Bost’s seat was one Democrats would like to get back, but hasn’t seen any indication that it’s part of any larger strategy to win a House majority.

“I don’t hear a lot of buzz about the race,” he said. “They want it to be on the playing field.”