MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Lucas builds cash advantage over Schmidt, Ostrowski in Milwaukee County sheriff's race

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Candidates for Milwaukee County sheriff in the August primary election are, from left, Acting Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt, Earnell Lucas and Robert J. Ostrowski.

Earnell Lucas, a Major League Baseball security official and candidate for Milwaukee County sheriff, has rolled up a significant campaign cash advantage over two opponents — Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt and Sheriff's Deputy Robert Ostrowski.

With four weeks to go before the Aug. 14 Democratic primary, Lucas had a cash balance of $88,645 as of June 30, more than double the $34,781 that Schmidt had, according to campaign finance reports submitted to the county Election Commission.

Ostrowski had a cash balance of $362.

Lucas, Ostrowski and Schmidt are competing to replace former Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. Clarke resigned in August 2017 to take a job with a political action committee supporting President Donald Trump's policies.

Schmidt is serving as acting sheriff through the end of Clarke's term on Jan. 7, 2019.

The top vote-getter in the August primary likely will be elected to a four-year term in November since there is no Republican on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Republican James D. Villwock, a sheriff's deputy, registered as a write-in candidate for the fall election to challenge the Democratic Party nominee.

Lucas, a former Milwaukee Police Department captain who works as MLB's chief liaison of security and investigations, received $84,713 in contributions since January.

The total includes a $50,000 personal loan he made to his campaign. He started the year with $28,435 cash on hand.

A few sports executives are on his list of contributors: Jerry Reinsdorf, an owner of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox, $6,000; Robert DuPuy, a former chief operating officer for MLB, $6,000; Jonathan Mariner, former chief financial officer for MLB, $1,000; and Ulice Payne, a former Brewers president and CEO, $500.

The maximum contribution allowed under state law to a Milwaukee County sheriff's candidate is $6,000.

Schmidt received the maximum contribution from both Natalie Frye and Gerald Frye of Elm Grove. Gerald Frye is CEO of Ingenium Prime.

A total of $43,112 rolled into the acting sheriff's campaign this year, including a $15,000 personal loan from Schmidt, a campaign report said. He contributed an additional $2,616 to his run for the office.

Among his notable contributors: Raisa Koltun, chief of staff for County Executive Chris Abele, $200; and Tobie Weberg, an inspector in the Sheriff's Office; $500.

Ostrowski reported total contributions of $3,003 to date, including a $600 personal loan to his campaign.

The largest single contribution to Ostrowski, $1,088, came from Daniel Katona, a South Milwaukee landlord and property manager.

Lucas, 60, of Milwaukee, has 40 years of law enforcement and public safety experience. He was an officer in the Milwaukee Police Department for 25 years and retired as a captain in January 2002. He went to work for Major League Baseball as supervisor of security and executive protection for then-Commissioner Bud Selig.

Ostrowski, 50, of Oak Creek, has been a deputy sheriff for 16 years, with experience in several divisions, including patrol, airport, courts and jail. He is a former president of the Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriffs Association.

Schmidt, 62, of Franklin, is a 32-year veteran of the agency. Since 1986, he has worked in the jail and on patrol duty and was promoted to sergeant in 1996. He later became a captain, a deputy inspector and inspector of detention services. Clarke promoted him to senior commander in 2010.