Lorain County Deputies Association endorses Democrat Rich Resendez for sheriff

The Lorain County Deputies Association endorsed Democrat Rich Resendez for Lorain County sheriff in the 2024 primary election on Tuesday. Resendez, of Amherst, currently is chief investigator and chief of operations in Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson's office. He announced his candidacy in August. Resendez and Rick Thomas are the two Democrats running in the March 19 primary. Republican Jack Hall is the lone Republican running to replace Sheriff Phil Stammitti, who is not running for reelection. "It is with great pleasure that the Lorain County Deputies Association endorses you as a candidate for the position of Lorain County sheriff in the 2024 primary election," LCDA President Adam Shaw wrote in a letter to Resendez that was shared with The Chronicle-Telegram. The LCDA includes all members of the sheriff's office who are nonranking deputies or evidence officers. "Our members are the rank and file of the office. We believe that your education, experience, work ethic and understanding of law enforcement today make you well qualified to serve as the Lorain County sheriff," Shaw wrote. "We place our full confidence in you, knowing your devotion to this office will be unquestionable and you will serve the citizens of this county passionately and professionally as sheriff." Resendez also has the backing of Tomlinson, Lorain Police Chief Jim McCann, Oberlin Police Chief Ryan Warfield and Elyria Police Chief William Pelko, according to his campaign. He retired as a lieutenant after 26 years with the Lorain Police Department, before becoming a captain at the sheriff's office under Stammitti. Resendez spent eight years as a captain in charge of both law enforcement and jail operations before Stammitti laid him off in 2010. Resendez ran a losing campaign for county commissioner in the 2012 Democratic primary. Thomas is director of corrections at the Lorain County Jail and former commander of the Lorain County Community College police academy. Stammitti has endorsed him in the election.