Lake County voters are staring at a full-blown power shuffle this year, with multiple County Council seats suddenly open and a packed field lining up to replace the term-limited sheriff now that the filing window has slammed shut.
County filings show council shake-up
County election records posted as the filing period ended on Feb. 6 list no incumbents running in County Council districts 1, 3 and 6, which leaves all three of those seats up for grabs in 2026. District 1 drew Democrats Scott E. Miller and Christina Signorelli, while District 3’s Democratic field features Ericka Lynn Castillo, David Gearman, Marlinda Tyson Haymon, Glenn Johnson, William L. Perryman and Dwight Williams. District 6 lists Richard Hardaway and Steven Minchuk. Those names appear on the county’s official primary candidate lists, according to the Lake County candidate filings and the county’s Republican filing list.
Sheriff’s race, treasurer, and other matchups to watch
With Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. hitting his term limit, the race to replace him is already crowded. On the Democratic side, St. John Police Chief Steve Flores, retired ATF agent Jason Gore, Deputy Chief Edward Jenkins and Lake County officer Maria Garcia Trajkovich have all filed. Republican David Crane Jr. is in on the other side. Incumbent Treasurer John Petalas picked up a Democratic primary challenger in Anthony J. Manuel, and Circuit Court Clerk Mike Brown is also listed with a primary opponent. Those developing matchups were flagged in early filing coverage as the week wrapped up, as reported by Yahoo News.
When and what happens next
County and state election calendars now pivot toward the spring primary, with local filings and state guidance lining up the May primary date and the timeline for ballot challenges and withdrawals. For a detailed rundown of deadlines, filing rules and the statewide schedule, candidates and voters can look to the Indiana Election Division’s 2026 candidate guide, according to the Indiana Election Division.
Local stakes and what to watch
Open council seats give party insiders, municipal leaders and neighborhood activists a rare chance to reset who controls key budget votes, appointments and county priorities. At the same time, the sheriff’s race is already shaping up as a top-ticket battle over law-enforcement leadership and staffing. In the coming weeks, expect challenges to candidate qualifications, stepped-up campaigning and a clearer picture of which nominees will ultimately square off in November.
