Just when you exhaled with relief and said, "no more politics for a while," the jockeying for Lake County sheriff already has begun in earnest.

Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez has hit his two-term limit, and it was a given that former Sheriff John Buncich was going to throw his hat into the ring for the 2010 race.

County Clerk Tom Philpot and Buncich met at The Patio restaurant in Merrillville, where Buncich thought Philpot was going to talk about potential support only to find out Philpot is testing the waters for sheriff himself.

Voters should note that Philpot, who just Tuesday won the coroner's race, takes over that office on Jan. 1, 2010, and filing for sheriff begins two weeks later.

"If he wants to make a mockery of the office, let him make a mockery of it," Buncich said. "I don't know what else to say. You've got to take this job seriously. He's walking around with (sheriff campaign) buttons" and T-shirts.

Philpot also had a little sit-down with Dominguez, feeling him out for support. Dominguez said he was cautious with Philpot, and he is going to support county Police Chief Marco Kuyachich.

Kuyachich, who recently had a kidney transplant, said he knows his health will be an issue but he has been given the green light by his doctor and will make his medical records public.

"When I was on dialysis, I would go there for four hours then come in here and put in an eight-hour day," he said. "I feel great."

The former police chief in Dyer and Schererville, Don Parker, also has formed an exploratory committee for sheriff.

Buncich and Dominguez have been political enemies for years, and Dominguez pondered "Buncich's strange obsession with being sheriff."

I put in a call to Philpot three weeks ago. I'm still waiting for his call.

Should Kuyachich back out, Dominguez said he would not support Buncich, Philpot or Parker, but left the door open a crack for former candidate Richard Ligon, an ex-postal inspector whom Dominguez defeated in an eight-man race in 2006.

Dominguez also said one of his department's top narcotics officers, Oscar Martinez, has expressed an interest but that he "needs more experience" before he gets Dominguez's endorsement.

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the polling place.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at markk@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4170.