Knox Endorses Whitaker During Televised Forum
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Kosciusko County's first televised political forum took a quick twist Thursday night when one of the candidates stepped up and endorsed another.
Of the three candidates participating in VSP-TV's sheriff candidate forum, Wally Knox announced minutes before the live show that he would endorse Detective Sgt. Sam Whitaker.
Knox made the announcement during opening statements in the forum and then stepped aside, leaving Whitaker and Lt. Steve Knispel to discuss issues.
After the endorsement, Whitaker and Knox shook hands, but neither Knispel nor Whitaker commented on the endorsement during the forum.
Knox said afterward he began rethinking his campaign three weeks ago and made the decision after meeting with Whitaker several times.
In exchange for the endorsement, Whitaker said he would employ Knox within the department if elected. Exactly what the position might be has not been determined, both candidates said.
The last-minute announcement caught forum organizers off guard. Knispel was told of Knox's plans prior to the event, and he agreed to allow Knox to make the statement as part of the forum.
But afterward, Knispel voiced displeasure with the turn of events.
"I believe people will see it for what it really was. I believe it was staged possibly for maximum impact," Knispel said.
Using the forum for an endorsement, he said, "was a little improper."
Knox said he and Whitaker share many of the same ideas. He said he was impressed with many of the proposals made by Whitaker, whose campaign has been among the most active in advocating changes.
"My visions and goals for Kosciusko County Sheriff Department and those of Detective Sgt. Sam Whitaker are so closely aligned the difference is negligible," Knox said.
He urged voters to ignore his name on the ballot and vote instead for Whitaker.
Whitaker said he believes Knox will boost his election chance and his administration if he's elected.
"I think it's going to help me in terms of information and votes," Whitaker said.
In the endorsement, Knox also took a swipe at candidate Aaron Rovenstine, whose father is sheriff and retiring after serving four terms as sheriff.
"Remember this Tuesday May 5 is a very important election. Al Rovenstine, our current sheriff, is not running - his boy is," Knox said.
Knox worked with the Warsaw Police Department for about 14 years before taking a medical leave because of cancer five years ago.
He continues to be treated for the disease, but said he has resumed a normal life.
Whitaker said Knox would bring valuable experience to the department, pointing out that Knox has a college degree in law enforcement and plenty of experience in undercover drug operations.
"I'm definitely going to have a very aggressive drug unit, and I think he can be very helpful there," Whitaker said. [[In-content Ad]]
Kosciusko County's first televised political forum took a quick twist Thursday night when one of the candidates stepped up and endorsed another.
Of the three candidates participating in VSP-TV's sheriff candidate forum, Wally Knox announced minutes before the live show that he would endorse Detective Sgt. Sam Whitaker.
Knox made the announcement during opening statements in the forum and then stepped aside, leaving Whitaker and Lt. Steve Knispel to discuss issues.
After the endorsement, Whitaker and Knox shook hands, but neither Knispel nor Whitaker commented on the endorsement during the forum.
Knox said afterward he began rethinking his campaign three weeks ago and made the decision after meeting with Whitaker several times.
In exchange for the endorsement, Whitaker said he would employ Knox within the department if elected. Exactly what the position might be has not been determined, both candidates said.
The last-minute announcement caught forum organizers off guard. Knispel was told of Knox's plans prior to the event, and he agreed to allow Knox to make the statement as part of the forum.
But afterward, Knispel voiced displeasure with the turn of events.
"I believe people will see it for what it really was. I believe it was staged possibly for maximum impact," Knispel said.
Using the forum for an endorsement, he said, "was a little improper."
Knox said he and Whitaker share many of the same ideas. He said he was impressed with many of the proposals made by Whitaker, whose campaign has been among the most active in advocating changes.
"My visions and goals for Kosciusko County Sheriff Department and those of Detective Sgt. Sam Whitaker are so closely aligned the difference is negligible," Knox said.
He urged voters to ignore his name on the ballot and vote instead for Whitaker.
Whitaker said he believes Knox will boost his election chance and his administration if he's elected.
"I think it's going to help me in terms of information and votes," Whitaker said.
In the endorsement, Knox also took a swipe at candidate Aaron Rovenstine, whose father is sheriff and retiring after serving four terms as sheriff.
"Remember this Tuesday May 5 is a very important election. Al Rovenstine, our current sheriff, is not running - his boy is," Knox said.
Knox worked with the Warsaw Police Department for about 14 years before taking a medical leave because of cancer five years ago.
He continues to be treated for the disease, but said he has resumed a normal life.
Whitaker said Knox would bring valuable experience to the department, pointing out that Knox has a college degree in law enforcement and plenty of experience in undercover drug operations.
"I'm definitely going to have a very aggressive drug unit, and I think he can be very helpful there," Whitaker said. [[In-content Ad]]