Lake County sheriff to switch parties

[City Lights]

Lake County sheriff to switch parties

December 12, 2008 at 3:16 PM

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said today he plans to announce next week that he's switching his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican.

Curran declined to elaborate on his decision. Democratic Party officials anticipated the change after his endorsement of State's Atty. Michael Waller, a Republican, in September.

"I'll go into detail Monday," said Curran, who made national news in August when he locked himself up in his own jail, saying he wanted to learn for himself what it felt like to be held at the Waukegan facility.

Curran is a former criminal defense attorney who won election as a Democrat to the sheriff's post in 2006.

Lake County GOP Chairman Dan Venturi said he believed Curran wanted to make switch after becoming disenchanted with Democratic officeholders, including Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was charged this week in an alleged scheme to sell a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.

"I think ethics are very important to him," Venturi said.

Curran, who will be up for re-election in 2010, also is believed to have political ambitions beyond the sheriff's office, and had expressed interest to local Democrats about running for the Illinois General Assembly, the attorney general's office or the state's attorney post held by Waller for nearly two decades.

After Curran endorsed the Republican state's attorney for re-election, local Democratic Party officials said he would have to pursue his ambitions without their help.

--Susan Kuczka

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/lake-county-sheriff-to-switch-parties.html

:argh:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

1. Well a man so pure of heart surely wants the Republican Party of Innocence

He did run as a "Reagan Democrat" whatever the heck *that* means.

[mopinko]

2. well, there sure is room in the republican party.

i think they are gonna have to start blackmailing people to belong.

[Radical Activist]

3. fool

Doesn't he know that Lake is trending more Democratic? He may get re-elected but he won't have of a future in politics beyond local office.

[City Lights]

4. More on this from Curran himself...

"Conscience" made Curran switch parties
By Mick Zawislak | Daily Herald Staff

Published: 12/15/2008 1:40 PM | Updated: 12/15/200 5:31 PM

Blasting what he described as a culture of corruption in the Democratic Party, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said his conscience wouldn't let him continue the association.

Flanked by top leaders at the county's Republican headquarters in Libertyville, Curran at a news conference Monday said he had become "increasingly disenchanted" and decided to switch parties after seeing no hope of change.

"My conscience will not allow me to stand by and be a member of the Democratic party any longer," said Curran, who was elected two years ago. "The suggestion of any other reason (for the switch) would be completely untrue," he added.

Curran's announcement comes less than a week after Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges.

Curran, who has become well known for high-profile actions such as spending a week in jail and attending the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, unleashed a torrent of criticism on state and Chicago machine politics he said have "bred corruption."

"I hoped to fight for change within the Democratic Party. I hoped to bring the Democratic party back to ideals it once stood for," he said.

"But as I stand here today, I do not believe that is a possibility. I certainly do not believe that is a possibility in the state of Illinois and I certainly do not believe there is any hope in the Democratic party in this state or in this county."

The result has been an adverse impact on the state's economic condition and other areas, such as public education and crime, Curran said.

"I'm walking away from that party of corruption," he said.

Running with Democratic backing and resources, Curran unseated veteran Lake County Sheriff Gary Del Re in November 2006.

State Sen. Terry Link, Lake County Democratic Party Chairman since 1992, said Curran "has a problem realizing how he got there."

"To do this, I think, is a show of the individual not party politics. I'm glad the Republicans have him now. That's not the type of person I want."

Link noted Republicans have had their share of problems.

"Now he wants to join the party that has George Ryan, that has (former Green Oaks Mayor) Tom Adams. I could go on and on." Link added that Curran has not shown loyalty to the party.

"I think he's only worried about one person and that's himself."

Link added that Democrats have been making gains every year in Lake County including the election in November of four county board members and a judge.

Curran, a former prosecutor, has maintained a Republican link, having supported former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan in his unsuccessful 2002 race against Rod Blagojevich for governor. Curran also raised eyebrows with his endorsement of Republican incumbent Michael Waller for Lake County state's attorney in the November election.

Curran's announcement was enthusiastically received by Republicans. Waller, Ryan, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam and state Sen.-elect Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington heralded the switch.

More.

Good riddance you clueless idiot! And a big :thumbsup: to Terry Link.