Jerry Williams was greeted with roaring applause as he walked into a packed celebration at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate his Democratic primary victory in the Lake County sheriff’s race.
As dozens of supporters cheered, Williams moved through the crowd smiling, moving closer to a November general election in which he is heavily favored. If elected, he would become the first Black sheriff in Lake County history.
“This has been a tremendous experience,” Williams told his supporters. “This is only one part of this chapter, and we are humbled by this process.”
A chant of “We Want Jerry!” filled the room as supporters waved signs and celebrated.
Williams, a longtime Indiana State Police officer who also briefly served as interim police chief of the Gary Police Department, led a crowded Democratic field with 26% of the vote, totaling 10,137 of the 38,741 ballots cast. Steve Flores received 8,447 votes, followed by Edward Jenkins with 6,916.
Williams will face Republican David Crane Jr., who ran unopposed in the primary, in November.
In the 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan easily secured the Democratic nomination, defeating LaVetta Sparks-Wade, a former Gary Common Council member, and capturing about 80% of the 38,201 votes cast.
“At a time when families and seniors are facing rising costs, I remain focused on lowering energy bills, making groceries and everyday necessities more affordable, reducing health care expenses, and strengthening economic opportunities throughout Northwest Indiana,” Mrvan said in a statement Tuesday night.
Sparks-Wade was attempting to be the first African American and first woman to win the nomination.
“I want to first congratulate Congressman Mrvan on a well-run race,” she said. “It has truly been an honor to get in this race and to be able to bring up the issues.”
Mrvan will face Republican Barbara Regnitz in the general election. Regnitz, who currently serves as Porter County commissioner, told supporters Tuesday that she’s ready for November.
“I look forward to campaigning for the general election,” Regnitz said. “This district needs somebody that represents Hoosier values not D.C. values.”
Gary-linked races reshape Lake County political landscape
Several Lake County Council races with strong ties to Gary also took shape.
Gary City Councilman Darren Washington won the Democratic primary for the Lake County Council District 2 seat, defeating four other candidates, including incumbent Ron Brewer, a former longtime Gary Common Council member. Washington received 38% of the 6,258 votes cast. He will face Republican Bradley Hutchison, who ran unopposed, in November.
In District 3, Gary Common Council member Dwight Williams won a six-person Democratic primary, narrowly defeating Glenn Johnson, an appointed member of the Gary Community School Corporation board. Williams will face Republican Stephen Aichner, who ran unopposed, in November.
If Washington and Williams win in November, as Democrats are widely expected to do in Lake County, their victories would create two vacancies on the Gary Common Council.
In another contest, Michael L. Protho, Gary Fire Chief Larry Tillman II and Robert Buggs Sr. finished among the top three in a crowded 13-candidate Democratic primary for the Calumet Township Board. Protho received 2,843 votes, Tillman had 2,421 and Buggs finished with 2,314. The three Democrats will face Republican Jeff Sadlowski, who ran unopposed, for three open seats in the November election.
In the wake of last fall’s redistricting battle, incumbent state senators who voted against the move faced challenges from candidates backed by President Donald Trump. In Lake County, Highland incumbent Dan Dernulc was trounced by Trump-endorsed Trevor G. De Vries. De Vries won 75% of the votes cast in the District 1 race.
He will face Democrat Scott Houldieson in November.
Other county winners include Democrat Mike Brown and Republican Leslie Dallner for clerk, Democrat Regina Pimentel and Republican Chuck Messler for auditor, and Democrat John Petalas and Republican Kevin Deane for treasurer.
Incumbents Bernard Carter and Latonya Spearman ran unopposed in the Democratic races for prosecuting attorney and assessor, respectively. Neither will face an opponent in November.
The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3.
