Posted on 10/20/2004 3:55:56 PM PDT by Land_of_Lincoln_John
October 20, 2004 — One week from tonight, a new primary will be held in the race for mayor of East Chicago, Indiana. A new primary was ordered after evidence of wrongdoing surfaced with absentee ballots. Now, it looks like more East Chicago voters plan to cast their ballots in person this time around.
When the East Chicago mayoral primary is re-run next Tuesday, there will be half as many absentee ballots as were cast in the scandal-ridden election in 2003. In that first primary, disputed absentee ballots were the difference for longtime incumbent Robert Pastrick. So, with fewer absentee votes to be counted next week, the challenger is encouraged.
George Pabey, a former investigator for the Lake County Prosecutor's Office, actually won the largest number of votes on Election Day during the first primary but lost by 278 votes after the nearly 2,000 absentee ballots were counted. Pabey says he believes Incumbent Robert Pastrick--who has held the office 33 years--tried to steal the first election.
"He's a dictator. He's not a mayor. He's a dictator. We need to get him out of office," said George Pabey, mayoral candidate.
Mayor Pastrick's win was overturned by the Indiana Supreme Court, which cited irregularities in the absentee balloting process. Therefore, there will be a special election next Tuesday, one week before the general election.
Mayor Pastrick would not return ABC 7's phone calls and at his office, his secretary said she didn't how else he could be reached. His campaign office closed at mid-afternoon and one worker there refused to comment. Another made an obscene gesture at the ABC 7 camera.
Both candidates are spending tens of thousands of dollars on yard signs and billboards. Both sides speak of the other trying to intimidate voters.
Ramond Rucoba, a retired city employee, said his job required him to campaign and vote for Mayor Pastrick for decades. Now, he supports Pabey.
"I'm free of my bonds. I'm free of my chains," said Rucoba.
Pastrick's campaign is aided by the fact his name is on so many public buildings, including a library, a marina, and on city hall. But Pabey is unbowed.
"They're not intimidated anymore," said Pabey.
More on the Honorable Mayor Robert Pastrick: PUBLIC CORRUPTION: Feds: Pastrick tied to sidewalks-for-votes scheme
His son and the former head of the Indiana Democratic Party are in prison for (shock) involvement in a union pension fund scandal.
and more...
Son of East Chicago mayor reaches plea deal with prosecutors (Ex-chairman of Indiana Dems involved)
Campaign for him, yes, but how was he "required" to vote for him? Is it not a secret ballot?
Thanks! Been looking for this!
Thank you!
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