As the elections approach, candidates running for office are bringing to a close their long-promoted campaigns. Months of preparation, public relations, self promotion and effort are all coming down to one decisive moment. For one family that has been a part of the FHN community for years, this experience is all too familiar.

St. Charles Circuit Judge Ted House has run several campaigns over his fourteen year political career, including the ones for the position he has now.

“[Campaigning] is a lot of work, it always has been a lot,” Ted said. “But it’s exhilarating. You’re talking with people, you get on a roll. You get adrenaline. You feed off that energy that other people have.”

Plenty of that energy has come from the love and support of his family. His children 2012 graduate Ben, FHN junior Catherine, and FHN freshman Dan have all been active in the political campaigns over the years. Doing everything from stuffing envelopes to putting up yard signs, the House family has always stepped in to do their part.

“Whenever he needed help, I’d do whatever he needed,” Catherine said. “I thought it was pretty fun.”

Ted has welcomed his family’s support, but never forced it out of them.

“ I’ve been doing it for years, so it’s been something they’ve grown up with,” Ted said.

Ted will be up for reelection in 2014. And when he begins to campaign, the rest of the family plans to do all they can.

“I’m gonna help out a lot more,” Dan said. “I think the experience is gonna be good for all of us.”