The Race for Sheriff: Lake County, Indiana

The Race for Sheriff: Lake County, Indiana

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Indiana residents head to the polls to vote in primaries Tuesday.

One high profile race in Northwest Indiana is the Democratic primary for sheriff of Lake County.

After serving the past four years as sheriff in Lake County, Indiana, Roy Dominguez says there’s still much to accomplish.

The battle to fight gangs and remove drugs from the streets is never-ending, Dominguez says.

“Now it’s time to take it to the next level. The next level involves like a multi-task force that involves cyber, Internet crimes if you will, whether it’s identity theft, child protection. Arresting those that are on the internet who are predators and who would prey upon our children, our senior citizens and members of our community,” Dominquez says.

Dominguez’s main opponent is John Buncich, who served two four-year terms as sheriff from 1995 to 2002.

Buncich wants to institute a six-point anti-crime program, similar to one he started 11 years ago.

There are four other lesser known candidates running in the Democratic primary for sheriff, including another candidate with the last name Dominguez.

Two candidates are running in the Republican primary.

The sheriff’s office is seen as a top post because it controls a $20 million budget, employs 600 people and the person in place is considered the top law enforcement officer of the county.