Brown wins Lake recorder race
By Carole Carlson ccarlson@post-trib.com | 648-3154 November 6, 2012 9:16PM
Updated: December 8, 2012 6:21AM
Lake County now has two elected Democratic officials named Mike Brown.
Michael B. Brown, 29, of Merrillville, easily defeated Republican Pamela Drangmeister Tuesday to win the Lake County recorder post.
Brown shares both first and last names with County Clerk Mike A. Brown, of Gary, who voters elected as recorder in 2004 and 2008.
“I’d like to start by complimenting my opponent for running a professional race. My hat’s off to her,” he said.
Neither candidate had won elected office before.
In the May Democratic primary, Brown beat incumbent recorder Michelle Fajman by 457 votes. He handily carried Gary and angry county Democratic officials said Gary voters likely confused him with County Clerk Brown.
However, Democrats embraced the recorder-elect, a former juvenile court bailiff who had to quit his job to run for recorder.
Brown said he plans to expand online services to generate new revenue and improve customer service.
