Rudy Clay for Mayor


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	Commissioner capitalizes on senior vote, low turnout By Bill Dolan, Times Staff Writer GARY -- Lake County Commissioner Rudy Clay walked into a back-slapping, hand-pumping, power-hugging crowd of supporters Tuesday night as he entered his headquarters to announce victory. "The people know I care about them and the people were not asleep," said Clay, who held off a spirited challenge by Deputy Mayor Suzette Raggs. Raggs told a more subdued crowd at her downtown headquarters, "When you look back, there was nothing else to do. We gave it everything we had." Official results were not available late Tuesday night but Raggs' own political patron, Jewell Harris, gave his analysis of what happened. "The commissioner did better in her territory than she did in his territory," he said. "In the inner city, Clay ran well. Outside that core she did well." However, a low voter turnout appears to have blunted her challenge. Clay said he won thanks to votes of older residents who were upset about rising property taxes spurred by city hall spending. "There was a senior citizen power out there today," he said. "Power to the people." Raggs' defeat will spark speculation about whether Mayor Scott King, her boss and chief supporter, was overreaching in an effort to extend his influence into county government and the county Democratic party and whether this will affect his plans to run for re-election in next year's municipal elections. Democrat Clay will challenge Republican Charles Kirkland in the fall. Democrats have won the district since it was first drawn up in the 1970s.







			Clay gives fundraiser to build more wheelchair ramps. Click here.


			*There is a change in the way lots can be disposed of. Click here.*


			*Clay proposes using casino funds to pay property taxes for senior citizens. Click here.*


			*Clay holds the "Toys for Kids that Santa Claus Forgot" program. Click here.*