Lake County Coroner David Pastrick is leading comfortably in his bid for his fourth term.

With all precincts reporting, Pastrick was leading by a margin of just over 23,000 votes — 56% to 44% — over his Republican opponent Andrew Delano of Gary, according to unofficial tallies.

It would be the second time Pastrick, 64, would be elected to a second term, who said this would certainly be the last time he would run for coroner.

Pastrick’s Republican challenger, 32-year-old Delano, had previously stated “someone needed to step in and run.” Despite Delano’s disinclination over running, Pastrick said he left nothing to chance and ran an active campaign.

“This was a chance to reconnect with voters during, Democrats and Republicans,” Pastrick said. “I’ve spoken to a lot of Republicans asking for their support one last time. This was my last run for coroner, and I’ve been trying to get as much support as I can. I feel that I do have a lot of support in all the communities. They know how well we work with law enforcement and all the agencies that we work with every day.”

Pastrick indicated that there would be future budgetary requests toward advancing technology and operations while developing the skills of his deputies and staff.

“There’s a lot of programs, a lot of things that we’re doing out in the community, that I just want to continue,” he said.

On Tuesday evening, Pastrick said he was grateful for the trust the people of Lake County had placed in him by electing him to what he expected to be a fourth term as coroner.

“I think they’re reelecting me because they know I’m doing the job properly and professionally,” he said.

Pastrick said that during his time in office he has transformed the coroner’s office into a modern, efficient, and scientifically assured operation. It includes a staff of 12 full-time investigators and eight part-time staff.

Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.