HIGHLAND | Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was the star attraction Wednesday night at the Lake County Democratic Party's pre-election pep rally.

"I had a crush on you for years," a woman working the check-in table proclaimed as Daley entered the $100-a-ticket fundraiser at the Wicker Memorial Park banquet hall.

Daley shook hands with eager well-wishers and shared a hug with former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick. But, mostly, he was there to pump up a crowd teaming with precinct captains.

"People don't want you to vote," Daley said, referencing Republican efforts to block early voting sites in East Chicago, Gary and Hammond. "They're doing everything possible to keep you away from the polls. But you know better."

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay, the Lake County Democratic chairman, introduced Daley as "a mayor that really needs no introduction."

And Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker told the crowd of party faithful that Marion County is out to deliver a bigger vote margin than Lake County for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama

'They're nipping at your heels," Parker warned.

"No Democrat has ever won the state of Indiana without winning Lake County," Clay assured the crowd. "The power is in your hands because if Barack Obama wins Indiana, he becomes the next president of the United States of America."

Jill Long Thompson, the Democrat running to unseat Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, also addressed the crowd after a warm intro from Daley.

"I'm very happy to meet Jill Long Thompson," Daley said. "Let's give a round of applause for the next governor of the state of Indiana."