By: Katie Jones, kjones@cbs4qc.com
Here at home, it's crunch time for several local races.
It's not clear what will be closer, the race itself or the campaign parties. Republican Incumbent Bobby Schilling will be at the Stern Center and across the street the Democratic challenger Cheri Bustos will be with supporters at the Holiday Inn.
Both parties, watching months of campaigning boiled down to these final hours.
"We've done all we can and now today's just that waiting game and hoping that all of our people get to the poles and pull the right trigger," Congressman Bobby Schilling said.
The race is highly contested, as the 17th District has been redrawn. It includes the Quad Cities and a big chunk of the CBS4 News viewing area.
Challenger Cheri Bustos is trying to win back the Democratic seat that was held for nearly 30 years until Congressman Schilling took over in 2011.
This campaign season, the two candidates have sparred with each other over key issues including job creating, trade agreements, and gridlock in Washington.
But, the two have really butted heads over the topic of unions.
Bustos said her family's roots run deep in organized labor.
"I was raised by parents who taught us that if it weren't for organized labor, and the Democratic party, there wouldn't be a middle class today," Challenger Cheri Bustos said.
Both candidates should be at their parties in the next couple of hours.
We'll be bringing you live updates of this race throughout the night on-air with more updates here online.
