Nov. 05--Republican incumbent Mark Curran, 51, of Libertyville, handily defeated political newcomer Jason Patt, 36, for a third term as Lake County sheriff.
Early returns showed Curran taking about 60 percent of the vote.
"I am grateful for the votes," said Curran, who spent election night at Austin's Saloon Eatery in Libertyville alongside supporters of 10th Congressional District winner Bob Dold.
Patt, an investigator for the Lake County Coroner's office, could not be reached for comment.
He had been sharply critical of Curran, who has weathered a series of controversies over the past few years, including the death of two former jail inmates and a sex discrimination case. The cases each led to lawsuits, two of which cost the county millions of dollars.
Curran, a former senior felony prosecutor, has said he hired former Mundelein Police Chief Raymond Rose as undersheriff in an effort to boost professionalism in the office.
Over the past year, the sheriff's office has instituted new training measures, hired a new medical service provider, changed its procedures to respond to injured inmates and will install a $1 million camera system in the jail, Rose said. The sheriff is also working to obtain accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, while the jail has received multiple accreditations from the American Correctional Association.
Curran also is an outspoken advocate for immigration reform, speaking nationally on behalf of a District of Columbia nonprofit called Bibles, Badges and Business.
Patt, a Democrat who lives in Zion, has limited management experience as a lead petty officer in the Navy. He was endorsed by law enforcement unions, which accused Curran of playing favorites with discipline and hiring, based on political leanings.
The sheriff oversees more than 500 employees and a $64 million budget.
Curran said his goals for the next four years are "continuing to keep people safe, professionalize the office, raising the bar."
Curran said he never bad-mouthed his opponent but took many hits from the other side.
"Was I personally worried about it? No," he said, when asked about the contentious campaign.
