Democratic Incumbent and Republican Newcomer Vie for Lake County Clerk Position

A race for the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk is underway, with incumbent Mike Brown, a Democrat, seeking to complete his final term, and Republican Leslie Dallner challenging for the office. The clerk role encompasses oversight of filings for judgments, land titles, various legal proceedings, court orders, and membership on the county election board.

Mike Brown, who hails from Gary, has built a career spanning 22 years as an elected official. This year marks his 13th as Lake County Clerk. An Ivy Tech graduate specialized in marketing and accounting, Brown has worked for the Hoosier Lottery, served as chief deputy administrator for the Lake County Coroner’s Office, been a member of the Gary City Council, and twice held the position of Lake County Recorder.

Brown highlights his team’s achievements at the clerk’s office: various community programs, new technology adoption, and service streamlining. He argues this track record qualifies him for re-election. Brown anticipates future advancements, committing to integrate new technologies to enhance service efficiency. He emphasized dedication, teamwork, and his readiness to hand over responsibilities smoothly in 2030.

Brown initially became Lake County Clerk in 2009 via a caucus, filling a vacancy. His tenure continued until 2018, when he switched to the Gary City Council seat. Re-elected as Clerk in 2022, term limits allow him four more years in the role. Notable recent initiatives include deploying a machine capable of translating 130 languages and effectively managing county budgeting.

Mike Brown: “A lot of ideas come from our staff, and we find ways to implement them. We’re proactive.”

Brown stresses strong election integrity maintained by collaboration across political lines, safeguarding voting machines and processes.

Leslie Dallner, from Hobart, brings over 25 years of corporate experience in accounting. A graduate of Indiana University Northwest, she has led accounting aspects in software transitions and audit-related activities for major firms.

Her campaign emphasizes “Three T’s”: transparency, technology, and transformation. Dallner views leadership as service, aiming to reflect constituents’ desires in decision-making. She plans to streamline operations, balance budgets, advance technology, and implement electronic forms.

As an election judge, Dallner raised concerns about potential election law violations. She proposes auditing voter rolls to ensure registration accuracy, addressing security issues, and improving government coordination.

Leslie Dallner: “Leadership involves serving the people by making informed decisions aligned with their needs.”

Dallner’s involvement in politics began with Highland GOP’s legislative committee and a state representative run. She advocates increased awareness about audit challenges Lake County faced, citing recent audits showing discrepancies in fiscal management.

A 2023 State Board of Accounts audit uncovered a substantial miscalculation by the Lake County Auditor’s Office, resulting in higher property taxes for residents due to reduced credits.

Both candidates underscore fiscal responsibility, with Brown assuring current operations meet state standards. He credits collaborative efforts for positive audit outcomes.