Valor: The American Odyssey of Roy Dominguez

Eight: 1990s Political Campaigns

The Democratic Machine rolled on unimpeded during the 1980s. Federal investigators had no difficulty filling prison cells with crooked officials. Citizens marveled at the list of jailbirds named on a bronze tablet commemorating the dedication of the county government complex. Lance Trusty, Steel Shavings 38 (“The Uncertainty of Everyday Life”) I don’t promise you ease. I don’t promise you comfort. But I do promise you these: hardship, weariness, and suffering. And with them, I promise you victory. Giuseppe Garibaldi 154 155 Korean War veteran Eliseo Castaneda, active in East Chicago American Legion Post 508 and the UBM, had the nickname Vitamins. He once said, “Roy, just call me Vitamins.” I replied, “No, Mr. Castaneda, my dad can call you Vitamins, but I don’t think I can.” I felt honored that he was comfortable enough to allow me to refer to him by his nickname, but in respect I continued to call him Mr. Castaneda. Campaigning for Sheriff In 1994 I ran for Lake County sheriff because I thought I’d be able to promote a level of professionalism that was sorely lacking in that office. In fact, many regarded it as a political police force. Because of other obligations, I was not able to announce my candidacy until February. I wanted to finish up projects with the Worker’s Compensation Board before taking a leave of absence. With the primary the first week in May, itwasessentially aninety-daycampaign,and perhapsa monthtooshort. There were a total of twelve candidates, including the favorite, John Buncich, who had been a fourteen-year supervisor of the sheriff’s civil office in Gary and adopted the late Sheriff Chris Anton’s dubious slogan, “A policeman for a policeman’s job.” Buncich began campaigning and securing endorsements the day after Sheriff Stephen R. “Bob” Stiglich was reelected in May of 1990. As a result, he garnered the support of most Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) groups and unions, including the Teamsters and most of the building trades. Many thought his main rival 1990s Political Campaigns eight 156 Valor would be county assessor Peter L. Benjamin, who had the political backing and support from then Sheriff Stiglich and other political rivals of Mayor Robert Pastrick. Amase Colby, a retired Gary police officer, was also a credible and serious candidate. I first met Mayor Pastrick during the Jack Crawford and Evan Bayh campaignsandhelpedhimwhenheranforanunprecedentedsixthterm in 1991 against Vincent McCutcheon. He was extremely well mannered, polished,andgentlemanly.Eventhoughheindicatedhe’dsupportme,it wasmorevocalthansubstantialintermsofprovidingfinancialcontributions or campaign workers. More than anything, he wanted Benjamin defeated.Many ofPastrick’s supporters were backing Buncich, probably with Pastrick’s approval, because they thought he had a better chance than I did. I think Pastrick meant it at the time when he indicated he’d support me, but he had other political agendas. He was polished and wanted to be fair to candidates, but you couldn’t always rely on his full support because of his other interests. Bobby Cantrell backed Buncich because he didn’t think I could garner support outside the Hispanic community. Frankly, he considered me a newcomer and doubted that a guy named Rogelio Dominguez would get support in the white southern part of the county. Although officially a Republican, Cantrell was a behind-thescenes force who, to use a sports analogy, wanted to play on everyone’s team at the same time. LongtimeLakeCountybehind-the-scenespoliticaloperativeBobby Cantrell was a complex and intelligent person with a PhD and a love of sports. In fact, he viewed politics as a combat sport of sorts. He was a person never to be underestimated or taken for granted. He made deals irrespective of party label or principle. To him politics was about power, deceit,dealmaking,competition,andintimidation,andheloveditwhen people groveled to him. Even with friends, he enjoyed playing all sides so he could undeservedly take credit for either candidate’s victory. He appeared to thrive on creating chaos and to relish spreading rumors to enhance animosity amongst political camps. Perhaps Cantrell’s strongest personal motivation in contriving political battles was his need to feel of value to elected officeholders. Once such“politicalvalue”wasachieved,hewouldthencommencetoarrange 1990s Political Campaigns 157 his political machinations. One of Cantrell’s strategies was to covertly contrive political opposition for officeholders in the form of throw-in candidates and then find it strange that they would take it personally. Of course when directed at him, it was personal and not...