Metro East Sun

The future seat for the 111th House District just got very interesting.

Republican candidate Michael Babcock, who thought he was the sole choice for the district seat since incumbent Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton) decided not to seek re-election, has another thing coming.

Beiser is stepping down and is pulling out his former chair for Monica Bristow to take a seat, making her the new leader of the 111th District seat, which includes Alton and Wood River in Madison County.

Mike Babcock, GOP hopeful running for the 111th District

Babcock, an insurance firm owner, is now up against, Bristow, the former president of the Riverbend Growth Association, a position she resigned from to fill Beiser’s seat.

Bristow brings much to the race since leading the association, which is both the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Organization for Riverbend communities including Alton, Bethalto, East Alton, Elsah, Foster Township, Godfrey, Grafton, Hartford, Roxana, South Roxana, Wood River and Wood River Township.

Since 2003, Bristow has overseen all business development while working closely with each community mayor to assure town growth.

Babcock told the Metro East Sun he would better serve the district than present Democratic representatives and said the political party has failed Illinoisans.

“Instead of trying to find innovative solutions to repair the financial status of Illinois, they continue to ‘pass the buck’ to our hard-working and overtaxed residents,” Babcock said.

Babcock also showed his disdain for Democrat legislators when discussing a hidden gas tax found in this year’s fiscal budget.

“It’s another example of mismanagement and malfeasance by (House) Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago) and his minions,” Babcock said.

Campaigning for more school funding and state economy growth, Babcock is sure to bring much to future debates with Bristow, who has supervised the association's transportation, legislative and public affairs and Business Retention and Expansion committees.