Update, August 14:
Democrat Earnell Lucas won Tuesday's partisan primary for Milwaukee County Sheriff.
He beat two other Democrats running for sheriff, Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt and Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff Robert Ostrowski. Lucas will likely win the Nov. 6 general election, as no Republicans ran in the primary. However, there still may be Republican write-ins.
Original Post, August 10:
Among the races that will be decided this coming Tuesday is the one for Milwaukee County Sheriff.
A Democratic primary features three candidates. They are: former Milwaukee Police Captain Earnell Lucas; Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff Robert Ostrowski; and Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt, who took that role last summer when former Sheriff David Clarke suddenly resigned to take a post with conservative political action committee.
There are no Republicans on the ballot in November, which means the person who wins the Democratic primary likely will be elected sheriff – barring a successful write-in campaign this fall.
The race is the first time there has been an open seat for the position since Clarke was appointed in 2002, and later elected to the office. He was serving his fourth four-year term when he resigned. Not only did Clarke have a lengthy tenure, he also had a big personality. The frequent Fox News contributor was outspoken and unapologetic about his conservative and sometimes divisive political views.
Here are the candidates — in alphabetical order — running for Milwaukee County Sheriff:
Earnell Lucas
Earnell Lucas is Major League Baseball’s Chief Liaison of Security and Investigations for the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.
Previously, he was the vice president of security and facility management, overseeing the security operations for all MLB. Lucas is a 25-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, retiring as a captain.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Law Studies from Marquette University. Lucas lives in Milwaukee.
Learn more about him here.
Robert Ostrowski
Robert Ostrowski is a Deputy Sheriff at the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, serving in that role for 16 years.
Ostrowski is the former president of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Association and a former machinist/tool maker for International Truck and Engine.
He has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Political Science from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Ostrowski lives in Milwaukee.
Learn more about him here.
Richard Schmidt
Richard Schmidt is the acting Milwaukee County sheriff, a role he assumed in 2017 when former Sheriff Davide Clarke Suddenly resigned.
Schmidt is a 32-year veteran of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in science and master’s degrees from Hyles-Anderson College and doctorate degree from Northland International University. He lives in Milwaukee County.
Learn more about him here.
