#il 12

Republican state Rep. Mike Bost, who has been nicknamed "Meltdown Mike" for his epic meltdowns in the Statehouse, has defeated first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart in southern Illinois' 12th District.

The district has been in Democratic hands for more than two decades but has grown increasingly conservative on social issues. It stretches from the eastern St. Louis suburbs to the Kentucky border.

Bost is from Murphysboro and has served in the Illinois House for 19 years. Enyart is a Belleville Democrat and former Illinois National Guard adjutant general.

RELATED: Illinois GOP candidate Mike Bost once shot and killed a beagle

The race was considered one of the most competitive in Illinois and a key Republican pickup nationally. Republican House Speaker John Boehner traveled to the district last week to campaign for Bost.

Bost also defeated Green Party candidate Paula Bradshaw, an emergency room nurse who is credited with siphoning liberal votes away from Enyart.

EARTH TO MIKE BOST: You WILL lose in 2016!!

#IL12: Bost is Bad For Illinois (by BostBadForIllinois)

Congressman-elect Bill Enyart's pledge to protect Scott Air Force Base got a big boost on Thursday, when Enyart was named to the powerful U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

Enyart, D-Belleville, retired in June with the rank of major general as commander of the Illinois National Guard. Enyart, a Belleville attorney, was elected Nov. 6 to replace U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, who retires Jan. 3, after 24 years representing the 12th U.S. House seat.

"On this committee, I will continue to be a strong voice and advocate for Southern Illinois families who have a loved one serving overseas," Enyart stated in a news release.

"Further, with Scott Air Force Base as our district's largest employer, it is crucial we have strong representation on this committee to ensure Scott stays strong and continues to grow," Enyart said.

Enyart will serve on the same prestigious committee as the late U.S. Rep. Mel Price, who represented the 12th House District for 44 years -- until his death in 1988, resulting in Costello's victory in a special election to fill Price's seat.

Enyart is one of nine new Democrats -- including five freshmen -- appointed to the to the House armed force panel, including fellow Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth, who was elected last month to represent the 8th U.S. House District, which covers suburban Chicago.

BREAKING: #IL12 has just been called for Bill Enyart over Jason "Mr. Romney Lite" Plummer. #BillEnyart #JasonPlummer #Twill #p2

BELLEVILLE, IL. (KTVI) – In the final hours before polls were set to open Tuesday, campaigning continued down to the  wire, from the White House to the State House.  

One of the hottest races in the St. Louis area is for the key congressional seat in Illinois, held for  more than 24 years  by Belleville Democrat, Jerry Costello.

Political experts say the seat could go Republican for the first time since World War II.  

Maj. General Bill Enyart, the Democrat, wasn’t even a candidate, in the primary.  

He was commander of the Illinois National Guard at the time.

He was recruited to run after nominee, Brad Harriman, stepped down citing health reasons.  

Enyart may pull it off but Costello admitted, it would be close.  

‘When the votes are counted, I think  Bill Enyart`s going to go to Congress,’ Costello said.  

He`s campaigning for Enyart after being elected to the seat 12 times; plus winning the special election to succeed Melvin Price, who died in office in 1988.  

Price held the seat since 1945.  

Republican candidate, Jason Plummer, was also getting a boost from a high placed political friend, Monday.  Collinsville, Congressman John Shimkus, of the neighboring 15th district campaigned with Plummer in Alton.  Plummer is the heir to R.P. Lumber.  He also ran for Illinois Lt. Governor in 2010.  

It’s been a heated campaign.  Plummer`s recently blasted Enyart’s wife, a retired circuit judge, for drawing 3 government pensions.

Enyart has blasted Plummer for failing to release tax records, and renting a home in the district to run for office.  

Enyart has trumpeted his connection to home-state President, Barack Obama, even on the key issue of jobs.  Plummer blasts him for it.   

Costello predicted an Enyart victory, but said history showed it would be a tight race, especially with it being Enyart`s first time around.  

‘People forget when i ran the first time, my election was close.  I won by 52% of the vote.  We`ve never gotten less than 60% since then.  In many elections we got over 70%.  Is this election going to be close? Yes?’ Costello said.

A familiar southern drawl will soon be heard on telephones throughout the Metro East: the voice of former President Bill Clinton. 

Clinton recorded a phone message to Metro East residents to vote for Bill Enyart, who is locked in a close battle with Republican Jason Plummer to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello. 

Clinton says: "He's fought for good jobs and he is the only person I trust to stand up for middle class people to protect Medicare and Social Security and create jobs."