Five-term Gary City Councilman Kyle Allen was elected District 1 Lake County Commissioner Wednesday after one round of voting during a caucus of precinct committeemen.
Allen was chosen from a field of five candidates including Lita Filippo and Dwight Gardner, both of Gary, Christopher “Cha” Meyers of Crown Point, and Dave Spott of Hobart.
He will fill the remaining three-year term of his late cousin Roosevelt Allen Jr., who died unexpectedly Jan. 8 at age 68.
“It is my goal and my belief I will do my best to live up to the example that proceeded me,” Allen said to an exuberant crowd gathered for the caucus in the Syd Garner Auditorium at the Lake County Government Center.
“I’m not going to promise I will be perfect. I will be fair. I will be open minded. I just look forward to the new journey,” Allen said.
Sheriff John Buncich, the Lake County Democratic Central Committee chair, said Allen received well more than the needed 50 percent of the votes cast during the first round, enough to land him the seat. There were 144 committeemen present of the 190 eligible to vote. The final tally will be kept on file at party headquarters.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson swore Allen in to the post.
Freeman-Wilson said Allen has been a valuable member of the Gary City Council and expects he will be just as valuable as a commissioner.
“I hate to see him go,” Freeman-Wilson said, adding when she initially heard he was considering a run for the office, a side of her did not want to see him go. She said she is confident he will do a good job for the county.
“I think he will serve with distinction,” Freeman-Wilson said.
Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-2nd, who was on hand to watch the caucus, said he was pleased Allen was elected. He said the late Commissioner Allen set a good example for the new commissioner who will follow in his footsteps.
“I think he is a very good choice. He is a very young man who has proven himself in the past,” Scheub said.
After the caucus Allen said he plans to lead by the example set by his late cousin. He expects a smooth transition from city to county government and is looking forward to working with county officials.
“I have always had relationships with county office holders…I am fortunate in that regard. I believe the transition will be smooth working with them and moving forward,” Allen said.
District 1 includes a large portion of Gary east of Cline Avenue and portions of Lake Station, Hobart, Merrillville and Crown Point.
Buncich said a caucus will be called to fill Allen’s seat on the Gary City Council once he receives a letter of resignation from Allen for his seat. Once the letter is submitted, Buncich said the party has 30 days to call the caucus. Allen said he expects to submit that letter Thursday.
Carrie Napoleon is a free-lance reporter for the Post Tribune.
