LAKE COUNTY — Incumbent Sheriff Rod Mitchell and Deputy Francisco Rivero are prepared to battle it out in the November runoff for the countywide seat.
Rivero topped the primary race Tuesday with 38.5 percent of the votes and Mitchell had 34.5 percent with all 53 precincts reporting. Jack Baxter received 27 percent of the votes and will not compete in the runoff.
“I”m humbled and grateful for all the support I”ve got from the people of Lake County,” Rivero said.
Rivero said he thinks his vision for change and the sharp difference on issues among the candidates will help people make informed decisions on Election Day.
“I”m glad the residents of Lake County exercised their important right to vote,” Rivero said.
He said he expects more people to turn out to the polls in the Nov. 2 election.
Rivero plans to engage in as many debates as possible with Mitchell, he said. He also plans to continue campaigning with meetings because he thinks face-to-face is the best way of relating to people.
“I have a very optimistic view of our future in Lake County,” Rivero said. “I want to bring 21st century law enforcement to Lake County.” He said he wants to keep the county safe for the next generation.
“I want to thank Jack,” Rivero said. “I believe he”s a good guy and he brought up some important issues.”
Mitchell said the primary results run along the same numbers as his first primary election against Joe Totorica 16 years ago, when he was 3.8 percentage points behind his competitor.
“What happens after the primary is it”s a new race,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he thinks the election results are a reflection of people voting against incumbents rather than the candidates or where they stand on the issues.
“I”m very happy to be here with the anti-incumbent fever that has taken over the country,” Mitchell said.
He is looking forward to debating ideas of leadership in the department as many times as possible before the election, Mitchell said.
“We will be looking forward to the first opportunity to get our message out to voters to inspire our base to not stay at home, to get out to the polls,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell thanked Baxter for his support of the deputies” service.
“I thought he was classy to have continued to project that, the respect for the deputies,” Mitchell said.
Baxter said he thinks his campaign fared well although he may have entered the race too late and didn”t have enough money to advertise.
“We worked hard on it, but it”s the will of the voters.”
Baxter said one positive result from the election is that he met a lot of people, made a bunch of friends and joined several groups.
“That in itself is great, although I think we could have made a difference here.”
Baxter said he thinks the remaining candidates need to focus on the issues and realize that law enforcement is constantly changing.
“Nothing works correctly forever,” Baxter said.
He said at this point he doesn”t plan on endorsing a candidate in the race.
“I would rather people make up their own mind, give them a good shake and listen to what they have to say,” Baxter said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
