Lake County, Indiana, has it first female coroner. A democratic caucus at the Hammond Civic Center voted in Merrilee Frey, who was uncontested. She replaces former coroner Thomas Philpot, who was convicted in a federal corruption trial on charges stemming from his time as Lake County Clerk. Frey, a forensic nurse, will finish out Philpot's term, which runs through the end of 2013. She's also the democratic candidate for coroner on november's ballot, running against republican Dr. Andy Koultourides, a Munster town councilman and local dentist.

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