CROWN POINT | Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot's campaign for county sheriff has won the endorsement of the department's second-ranking commander, who in turn won a promise of job security.
County Police Chief Marco Kuyachich and Philpot issued a joint statement Thursday, with Kuyachich endorsing Philpot. Philpot states, "My first act in office, after being sworn in as sheriff, will be to appoint Marco Kuyachich as my chief."
The announcement is expected to help shore up Philpot's resume against attacks by several other candidates who say Philpot lacks the necessary law enforcement experience to be the county's top-ranking police officer.
Kuyachich, who was expected to be a candidate for sheriff until his withdrawal last month, states in the release, "Tom has proven his ability to successfully administer county offices and has worked with all public safety agencies within Lake County. We believe our collective experience will best serve the citizens of our communities and the sheriff's department."
Philpot is trying to stand out in a field of 11 Democrats running in the May 4 primary for an office that commands a staff of 453 police officers, corrections officers and civilians and a budget this year of $26.3 million. Outgoing Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez is barred by term limits from running for re-election.
Former county Sheriff John Buncich, one of Philpot's chief rivals for the job, said Thursday, "This is nothing more than a political ploy because Philpot doesn't have the qualifications to be sheriff. I feel sad for Marco that he is going with a non-law enforcement individual for the top law enforcement position in the county."
Dominguez said Thursday Kuyachich's endorsement is independent of his feelings on whom the next sheriff should be. Dominguez said he has reconciled with both Buncich and Philpot despite past differences and hasn't decided whether he will endorse anyone in the race.
Six other men with law enforcement backgrounds running for the office are county police Deputy Cmdr. Oscar Martinez; county police Officer Frank DuPey; former East Chicago police officer Lester Chandler Jr.; former U.S. postal inspector Richard D. Ligon; Chris Roberts-Gonzalez, retired investigator for the state's child protective service; and former Dyer and Schererville Police Chief Donald Parker.
Rosalind Anderson, Bradley R. Hutchison and Steven Kresich round out the remaining Democratic sheriff candidates.
Republicans Mike "The Waiter" White and Dan Bursac are competing in the Republican primary.
