Acting Milwaukee Sheriff Schmidt announces bid for four year term

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt says his experience leading the Milwaukee Sheriff Department sets him apart from the field.

"I'm out there. I'm doing the job," Schmidt said. And I don't know anyone else that, and not to disparage anyone, but I have nobody else that I'm aware of that can do, with the skill set that I have, what needs to get done."

Milwaukee Deputy Robert Ostrowski is also running as a Democrat. He says Schmidt's track record isn't necessarily a positive.

"I'm aware of a lot of the internal issues with this agency, and I'm running because I truly believe we need to fix these internal issues first, so that we can provide a better service to the community."

The other Democrat, Earnell Lucas, is a former Milwaukee Police Captain, and current vice president of security for major league baseball.

"My experience working and collaborating with law enforcement agencies all across the country and all across the world, and certainly my judgment, having made some critical decisions on behalf of baseball."

The only Republican candidate, Milwaukee Deputy James Villwock, says the department needs less focus on traffic, and more on crime.

"Go more into the city and fight the regular crime, such as violent crime, human trafficking, the drugs, and everything that's related to those issues," Villwock said.

Candidate Joseph Klein with the Wisconsin Pirate Party did not respond to a request for an interview.