By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – The special election in the 18th congressional district is just a week away and the candidates could face an uphill battle to get voters to the polls.

There are no other measures on the ballot when Republican State Sen. Darin LaHood of Peoria and Democrat Rob Mellon of Quincy compete for the congressional seat Aaron Schock vacated earlier this year. LaHood told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin getting voters to the polls will be critical.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with LaHood on WJBC.

“The biggest think is reminding people and getting them out there,” LaHood said. “It’s not an election people will gravitate toward. It’s really something to have to educate them You have to pull people out of their homes to get them out to vote.”

When asked if counties should be forced to saddle the costs of the special election caused by Schock’s resignation, LaHood said democracy costs money and it’s more fair than simply appointing someone to the seat.

LaHood has some harsh words for his fellow Republicans that he would like to join in Washington. He said the GOP has wasted the last year since taking over the Senate and growing its majority in the House.

“All these promises and here we are a year later. We have a U.S. Senate and the largest majority in the House and it’s crickets, nothing has gotten done,” LaHood said.

LaHood said Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina have struck a chord with presidential primary voters because they are Washington outsiders.

LaHood did not say whether he would support John Boehner’s reappointment as the House GOP leader in 2017.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].