Open Letter To Voters

Recent developments in Hammond and Lake County politics deserve the careful attention of every voter. On a recent podcast hosted by Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Democratic candidate for Lake County Sheriff, Jason Gore, was interviewed. During their conversation, Mayor McDermott announced publicly that he would serve as Mr. Gore's campaign manager. This move, along with other recent endorsements and reports, raises important questions about oversight, transparency, and the appropriate separation of roles in local government. You deserve a Sheriff that is loyal to you, the citizens of Lake County.

During the interview, Mayor McDermott expressed his preference for having the Lake County Sheriff's patrols concentrate in Hammond, strongly suggested, "I would like to see the Lake County Sheriffs patrolling Hammond and not south of Ridge Road". Mr. Gore responded without objection, agreeing to the mayor's suggestion rather than clarifying the established duties of the Sheriff's office. While it is not uncommon for candidates to be diplomatic, Mr. Gore's lack of public clarification on the Sheriff's responsibilities leaves voters with unanswered questions about his understanding of or stance on the office's jurisdiction. Mr. Gore has shown by his lack of concern for the mayor's statement that he is willing to bend to the orders of the mayor.

Later in the discussion, the topic turned to a recent special report from the Indiana State Board of Accounts, which detailed concerns about the use of funds from the Lake County Sheriff's Jail Commissary account under current Sheriff Oscar Martinez. Mayor McDermott noted that the investigation touched on "gray areas of the law". When prompted, Mr. Gore responded, "we must wait for an investigation", even though an investigation had already been completed. This exchange suggests the need for clearer communication from Mr. Gore and a demonstrated commitment to addressing oversight issues.

In addition to the podcast, recent news from the Hammond Times on January 8, 2026, reported that David Hamm would not seek reelection to the Lake County Council and has endorsed the mayor's chief of staff for the position. These developments, alongside Mayor McDermott's active involvement in multiple campaigns, prompt reasonable concerns about the concentration of influence across key offices in Lake County government. The potential for one individual or administration to shape both executive leadership and fiscal oversight warrants careful public scrutiny.

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this letter was produced by the Committee to elect David K. Crane Lake County Sheriff