Who's Running for Montgomery County Executive?

A once-crowded field ready to wrestle the reins from Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett is dwindling since Leggett announced June 12 that he would seek a third term, The Gazette reported.

Del. Benjamin F. Kramer (D-Dist. 19) of Derwood and Montgomery County Councilman George Levanthal (D-At large) of Takoma Park have backed out of the race, The Gazette reported. County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin (D-Dist 5) of Silver Spring said she will reveal her plans "in about a week."

Former County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and County Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist 3) of Gaithersburg have said they will run for the post. The Gazette reported that both are still in the race.

Read more at The Gazette.

While Leggett easily won election to the County Executive's office in 2006 and 2010, some see a $120 million obstacle this time around in the form of the still-unfinished Silver Spring Transit Center.

Patch user Bubba commented:

I'm shocked he thinks he can win after the Silver Spring transit center fiasco. I suppose a crowded field works toward his advantage. I wish Andrews or Duncan would drop out. They are competing for the same crowd. Outside those 2 I don't think anyone else would generate much interest.

Leggett said he accepts "full responsibility" for the transit hub's faults, possibly in an attempt to get ahead of the issue that may play a large part in his re-election campaign, The Washington Post reported.