Leopold weighing run for statewide office
Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold said Friday what has long been rumored in local political circles: He’s considering a run for governor or comptroller in 2014.
“I’m going to keep all those options open,” said Leopold, a Republican who is term-limited. “The record that I’ve established of strong fiscal discipline, I think would resonate not only in Anne Arundel County, but elsewhere.”
And he added that he'd relish a slot on the state panel that oversees major spending decisions.
“Having a vote on the Board of Public Works would be a positive thing and it certainly has some impact.”
Leopold, 68, served 20 years in the House of Delegates before he was elected county executive in 2006. Supporters say he has paid close attention to constituent services and have praised his environmental record.
But he also has some personal issues that could potentially affect a run.
The state prosecutor’s office is investigating Leopold’s use of his county-funded security detail. And Leopold is named in a former county employee’s $10 million federal lawsuit alleging gender discrimination. Leopold has denied any wrongdoing.
Coupled with Maryland’s overwhelmingly Democratic voter rolls, Leopold would have “a tough road ahead,” said Matthew A. Crenson, professor emeritus of political science at the Johns Hopkins University.
The last Republican comptroller ended his term in 1900. And former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., who was the first member of the GOP elected to the state’s top job in a generation in 2002, was handily defeated when he ran for re-election last year.
“Somehow he’s got to prove to people that the allegations are trivial or false,” said Crenson. “Any of his opponents would be sure to bring it up.”
Alex X. Mooney, chairman of the state GOP, said Leopold would make a formidable candidate for either seat.
“He knows how to win tough elections,” said Mooney. “Leopold is known for being a tenacious campaigner. He sign waves and knocks on every door. … I certainly think he’s a credible candidate.”
Yvette Lewis, chair of the state Democratic party, did not respond to a call requesting comment.
Other GOP candidates frequently mentioned as possibilities for 2014 include Harford County Executive David Craig, State Sen. E.J. Pipkin and Larry Hogan, a former Ehrlich deputy. Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, is term-limited.
Possible Democratic contenders for governor include Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat, is said to be mulling whether to run for re-election or take a stab at the governorship.
Yvette Lewis, chair of the state Democratic party, did not respond to a call requesting comment.
Leopold, who would be 71 at the end of his last term as county executive, also had two back operations last year. He says he’s fully recovered.
“It’s a daunting task to run statewide, although I think the times have changed,” he said. “There’s a lot of anger and frustration throughout the country, so I don’t think these are usual times. I think people would be open to someone who has a strong record of fiscal discipline.”
Leopold, who in January reported $423,000 in on-hand cash in his campaign account, said he’ll make a final decision on his future by 2013.
Comments
Being an Anne Arundel resident, I personally like Mr. Leopold. He is fiscally conservative and a moderate Republican. The one thing he will find it difficult to overcome will be that he did include a tax increase in the last budget he submitted to the county council for approval. I believe that will hurt him with the Republican base. There have also been some allegations of impropriety by several women that he needs to get settled or this will be a problem that will follow him. Surely this is something you cannot take into a statewide campaign.
Posted by: Bud | October 7, 2011 5:42 PM
Being an Anne Arundel resident, I personally like Mr. Leopold. He is fiscally conservative and a moderate Republican. The one thing he will find it difficult to overcome will be that he did include a tax increase in the last budget he submitted to the county council for approval. I believe that will hurt him with the Republican base. There have also been some allegations of impropriety by several women that he needs to get settled or this will be a problem that will follow him. Surely this is something you cannot take into a statewide campaign.
Posted by: Bud | October 7, 2011 5:42 PM
Being an Anne Arundel resident, I personally like Mr. Leopold. He is fiscally conservative and a moderate Republican. The one thing he will find it difficult to overcome will be that he did include a tax increase in the last budget he submitted to the county council for approval. I believe that will hurt him with the Republican base. There have also been some allegations of impropriety by several women that he needs to get settled or this will be a problem that will follow him. Surely this is something you cannot take into a statewide campaign.
Posted by: Bud | October 7, 2011 5:44 PM
Think of all the parking lots he'll be able to lurk in if he can roam the whole state!
Posted by: MrRational | October 7, 2011 6:36 PM
He would make a good Governor for Maryland !..He kept money problems in AA.Co in check...very fair in his dealings with the public....can't go wrong....and He's alot better then what we have now !!
Posted by: Bob | October 8, 2011 8:31 AM
Um, isn't he the guy who was mysteriously found in the back seat of a parked car in a mall parking lot? Just what we need!
Posted by: Jman | October 8, 2011 8:43 AM
Surely I would vote for a man who has allowed large companies to run rough shod over his constituents. How about a guy that has done nothing for employment? Or a man that may be just a bit detached from what the average citizen is going through these days?
Posted by: Beau Michaud | October 8, 2011 12:37 PM
Mr. Leopold has done a great job as county executive. However, I as a card carrying Republican could not bring myself to vote for him in his reelection bid for County Executive because of his alleged improper behavior towards women. If he wants to become Governor, he has to own up his behaviour. This would not be a big help for the MD GOP. The MD GOP has a hard enough time as it to remain a relevant political party in a blue state. Our party doesn't not need this distraction.
Posted by: triple M | October 9, 2011 10:10 AM
Wait a minute, you list Anthony Brown, Ken Ulman, and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as possible contendors for governor? At what point has the mayor of Baltimore EVER been mentioned as interested in statewide office. And where is Doug Gansler - who raised $3 million in an unopposed AG election? How about letting the political reporters write the political stories, eh?
Posted by: Scottie | October 11, 2011 1:52 PM