HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) _ Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. plans to step down as chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party after five years at the post.
The Times of Munster reports McDermott said Friday on his weekly radio show on WJOB that he had been considering the move for some time and will leave the position in June. He says the position was a stress on him and that he wants to focus his attention on his roles as mayor, husband and father.
McDermott says his successor will be selected in “a wide open process.'' Before McDermott was chairman, the late Gary Mayor Rudy Clay held the post.
McDermott says his resignation from the county post should not be seen as him stepping away from politics.
