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Baseball Security Chief Running For Milwaukee Sheriff

Earnell Lucas Could Challenge David Clarke, If Clarke Runs For Re-election

Anaheim Police Chief John Welter, right, joined by Earnell Lucas
Jae C. Hong/AP Photo

The head of security for Major League Baseball intends to challenge Milwaukee’s firebrand sheriff, David Clarke, next year if Clarke runs for re-election.

Earnell Lucas served in the Milwaukee Police Department for 25 years and rose to captain in 2002 when he joined MLB, where he’s currently vice president of Security and Facility Management.

Political strategist and Lucas spokesman Sachin Chheda said Wednesday that Lucas has decided to run because he’s concerned about how the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is being managed. Chheda said Lucas will run as a Democrat but doesn’t want the focus to be on politics.

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“This should not be a political effort,” Chheda said. “He’s not a politician. He thinks the Legislature and the people of Wisconsin should change the Constitution so we can have nonpartisan leaders heading law enforcement agencies.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported Lucas’ intent to run. Chheda said the response from the community has been positive.

“He’s confident,” Chheda said. “I’m confident that the people of Milwaukee County will respond to him as a leader and will respond to his message. They will see that Earnell wants to put politics aside and get back to focusing on making Milwaukee County safer.”

Clarke is known for his provocative personality and staunch support for President Donald Trump. He’s expressed interest in working in Trump’s administration. Some conservatives are trying to recruit him to run for U.S. Senate.

Clarke has been under fire since four people, including an infant, died last year in the Milwaukee County Jail.

Craig Peterson, an advisor to Sheriff Clarke, declined to comment.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 to include original reporting from WPR.