VALPARAISO | Several high profile races took shape during the first day of candidate filings Wednesday including a four-way race -- so far -- among Democrats seeking to replace Vicki Deppe as county coroner.
The candidates currently in the coroner's race are Billy Coker, Ronald Reed, Nancy Satterlee and Robert Schulte.
Democrats also have primary races between incumbent Jim Kopp and Chesterton Tribune reporter Vicki Urbanik for county auditor, and between Jack Jent and Portage City Councilman Brendan Clancey for Portage Township trustee.
General election races are also on tap between Republican Jon Miller and Democrat Debby Dean Malik for county recorder along with a contest between Republican James Polarek and incumbent Democrat Marilyn Johns for the 4th District seat on the county council.
Other early filings included incumbent Republican County Prosecutor Brian Gensel, Republican sheriff's police Lt. Ralph Levi for sheriff, incumbent Democrat Pam Fish for county clerk, Democrat Jeremy Rivas for the 2nd District County Council seat, incumbent Republican Jacquelyn Sterling for the Liberty Township board, incumbent Republican Chuck Conover for Center Township trustee, incumbent Republican Stephen Buck for Center Township Board and Democrats Edward Momola and Ken Gillie for the Portage Township Board.
Jent, defeated in 2006 as Portage Township Trustee by Republican Joyce Webster, said he decided to take another shot, "because I love the job."
Despite talk down state about eliminating township government, Jent said he considers the trustee's office the most important in the state considering the care it provides to those in need.
Clancey said township government is important to large municipal areas like Portage as the first level of assistance.
Miller, who works as network administrator for the county's 911 and sheriff's department, said he is drawn to the recorder's post because of his experience in document imaging.
"I'm a computer geek at heart," he said.
His opponent, Malik, has five years experience as a deputy recorder in Lake County, experience in the county clerk's and assessor's offices, and claims to be a descendant of President Abraham Lincoln.
Levi said in his candidacy announcement he has worked 33 years at the department, including 28 years in supervisory positions and under the leadership of six sheriffs of different parties.
Incumbent Democratic Sheriff Dave Lain said he intends to file for re-election Feb. 4, his mother's birthday.
Gensel said he has been with the prosecutor's office for 22 years, which makes him uniquely qualified for the top job along with the relationships he has developed with law enforcement and social service agencies.
Elections 2010
The deadline for registering for Indiana primaries for major party candidates is Feb. 19. The Indiana primary is scheduled for May 4. The general election is Nov. 2.
