Metro East Sun

The third time was not the charm for Wood River Township supervisor Mike Babcock, who fell less than 399 votes short of unseating incumbent Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Godfrey) in the 111th District.

The race was so close, NBC News put both candidates final vote tally at 50 percent, with Bristow ultimately finishing with 18,967 votes and Babcock 18,683.

The heartache comes as nothing new for Babcock, who previously lost to then Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton) by just 2,455 votes in his 2016 run. 

Bristow, the former River Bend Growth Association President, was appointed to serve out the remainder of Beiser’s term last December after he retired.  

In 2012, Babcock lost to then Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) in a bid for the state Senate in the 56th District.

“I want to thank my wife and three boys for going through this process with me,” Babcock said in a statement this week. “It has been a long, six-year journey. I also want to thank all of those who supported me at the doors, on Facebook and throughout.”

Babcock made Bristow’s close alliance with longtime House speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) a theme in his campaign battle.

“I work for the people of the district and my opponent works for Mike Madigan,” he told Metro East Sun. “Madigan has been in control of this state way too long.”

With Democrat Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker knocking off Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, Babcock said voters have much to be apprehensive about when it comes to job opportunities and higher taxes, under a leadership team of Madigan and Pritzker.

“A lot is at stake time and it’s time for honest people to stand up to Madigan and his Chicago machine,” Babcock implored voters during the final days of the campaign.

The 111th District includes Madison and Jersey counties.