The campaign finance record for the republican incumbent in the 135th Legislative District, via the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C161073: Friends Of Steve Helms
Committee Type: Candidate
2261 East Kirkwood
Springfield Mo 65804
Party Affiliation: Republican
Established Date: 03/07/2016
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – 8 Day Before General Election-11/6/2018
Beginning Money on Hand $40,005.77
Monetary Receipts + $10,350.00
Monetary Expenditures- $34,214.16
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal ($23,864.16)
Ending Money On Hand $16,141.61

Meh.

The Democratic Party challenger:

C180264: Citizens For Rob Bailey
Committee Type: Candidate
829 S Weller Ave
Springfield Mo 65802
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Established Date: 04/05/2018
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – 8 Day Before General Election-11/6/2018
Beginning Money on Hand $5,054.06
Monetary Receipts + $9,185.00
Monetary Expenditures – $9,496.89
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal ($311.89)
Ending Money On Hand $4,742.17

What? Something is going on here:

Spending in opposition to the Democratic Party candidate:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION DIRECT EXPENDITURE REPORT
11/2/2018 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC

Rob Bailey 829 Weller Ave Springfield MO 65802 Missouri State Representative HD135 [opposed] 11/1/2018 $108,080.00
[….]
MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR EXPENDITURE
11/2/2018 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC

Victory Enterprises 5200 30th Street SW Suite 7 Davenport IA 52802 11/1/2018 Television media buy for opposition of candidate. $100,010.00

[emphasis added]

In the Springfield media market. Seriously?

“…Man, that’s just mean. That’s mean, man…”

Ah, this is the why – in 2016:

State of Missouri – State of Missouri – General Election, November 08, 2016
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on December 12, 2016

State Representative – District 135
25 of 25 Precincts Reported
Randy Alberhasky Democratic 7,177 44.163%
Steve Helms Republican 8,187 50.378%
David Carr Libertarian 887 5.458%
Total Votes: 16,251

Previously:

Campaign Finance: making the rubble bounce in the 50th Legislative District (November 2, 2018)