The May primary in Lake County got a little more crowded Monday when more than 60 people filed to represent their party in various political races as the filing period came to a close.
Because the Lake County Government Center closed Friday due to the winter storm, the final day to file to run in Indiana’s primary was extended to noon Monday, giving people a chance to make up their minds about running. Filing for the rest of the state ending Friday at noon.
Lake County Councilman Ted Bilski and Assessor Jerome Prince remain the only county incumbents not facing a challenge in this primary season.
The list of candidates wanting to become Lake County’s top cop continues to grow. Last-minute Democratic additions to the list on Monday included Wally M. DeRose, of Schererville, and Maria Dominguez, wife of former Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez. The two Monday filings bring the total number of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for to the post to eight. Republican Dan Bursac also filed Monday. Bursac is the lone Republican seeking the nomination.
The Democratic Party race for county clerk grew by one. Andrew Sylwestrowicz, of Merrillville, has tossed his hat into the race and will face Lorenzo Arredondo and Josefina Magallanes in the primary.
Incumbent Lake County Councilman Dan Dernulc, of Highland, who is also chair of the Lake County Republican Party, is facing a 4th District challenge in the primary from Dyer resident John Wayne Clark.
Crwon Point Republican Eldon Strong is facing a District 7 challenge from Christian Jorgensen, of St. John.
A total of 19 candidates are seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the three seats on the Calumet Township Board. Another 11 Democratic hopefuls have filed to run for three seats in the North Township Board race.
Voters have until noon Friday to file a challenge against any of the candidates who have filed to run in the May primary. Challenges will be heard at the Feb. 20 regular meeting of the Lake County Board of Elections.
The list of those filing since noon Friday, Feb. 2
*Linda Collins-Brown, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
*Greta E. Heard, Democrat, Lake County Treasurer
*Kate Webster, Republican, Center Township Board
Monday, Feb. 5
*Steven Bucko, Democrat, Hobart Township Board
*Kathy Kelly, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
*Darren Washington, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
Tuesday, Feb. 6
*Eldon Strong, Republican, Lake County Council District 7
*Cliff Caldwell, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
*Richard N. Niemeyer, Republican, Hanover Township Board
*Catherine Campbell, Democrat, Lake County Council District 2
Wednesday, Feb. 7
*Kevin Toth, Republican, Hanover Township Trustee
*Zachery (Zach) Beaver, Republican, Winfield Township Board
*Anthony D. Pampalone, Republican, Center Township Board
*Katrina D. Alexander, Democrat, North Township Board
*Maralynn Echterling, Republican, Hanover Township Board
Thursday, Feb. 8
*John A. Salzeider, Democrat, North Township Board
*Paulla Weinberg, Democrat, Ross Township Board
*James W. Hunley, Democrat, Hanover Township Trustee
*Joseph W. Clark, Republican, Lake County Council District 4
*Deonte T. Nance, Democrat, Lake County Council District 5
*Tricia Davis Smith, Republican, Winfield Township Board
*David (Big-Dave) Rodriguez, Democrat, Lake County Treasurer
*Maria D. (Garcia) Trajkovich, Democrat, Lake County Sheriff
*Adam D. Wornhoff, Republican, Hanover Township Board
*Jim Nowacki, Democrat, Calumet Township Assessor
*Cathy J. Lareau, Republican, St. John Township Trustee
*Darren E. Taylor, Democrat, North Township Board
*Eric Schultz, Democrat, Dyer Town Council Ward 2
*Barry Hillgrimson, Democrat, Lake County Council District 4
*Joan McClusky, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
*Tracy Lee Haskell, Democrat, Hanover Township Board
*Ann M. LaMarca, Democrat, Ross Township Board
*Jackie (Jacquese) White, Democrat, Lake County Council District 3
*Douglas M. Wright, Republican, Lake County Council District 1
*Jose (Joe) Menchaca, Democrat, Center Township Board
Monday, Feb. 12 through noon
*Norman Stick, Democrat, Hanover Township Board
*Omar M. Abdallah, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
*Jovanka Ivetic, Democrat, North Township Board
*Andrew Sylwestrowicz, Democrat, Lake County Clerk
*Diane M. Jostes, Democrat, Hanover Township Board
*Wayne Stoll (Sr.), Republican, Hanover Township Board
*Philip T. King, Democrat, North Township Board,
*Edwardo D. Banda Sr., Democrat, North Township Board
*Dan Bursac, Republican, Lake County Sheriff
*Nathaniel Williams, Democrat, Calumet Township Board
*Al Weems (Jr.), Democrat North Township Board
*Willie Brown, Democrat, Calumet Township Trustee
*Katharine Hadow, Democrat, Center Township Board
*Jesus Luis Ortiz, Democrat, North Township Board
*Wally M. De Rose, Democrat, Lake County Sheriff
*Maria E. Dominguez, Democrat, Lake County Sheriff
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
