Ike’s commitment to democratic ideals has been the cornerstone of his long career in public service. Whether fighting for civil rights or workers’ rights, leading the fight for affordable housing or environmental preservation, Ike has always worked to bring people together to achieve common democratic values.

“We favor Ike Leggett. He is the right choice for a county facing a demographic makeover, the prospect of tightening budgets and the strain of impassioned debates over growth, development and traffic. He has the judgment, temperament and integrity to make a solid leader of a county whose population will reach 1 million during the next county executive’s term.” – Washington Post endorsement

What Makes Ike an Extraordinary, Visionary Leader

Ike has a record of achieving results in Montgomery County. For 16 years he served on the County Council as a voice of balance and leadership for Montgomery County. He led the efforts to: reduce class sizes in public schools, help protect the environment and preserve green spaces, increase funding for affordable housing, create new opportunities for small business, and to help lift people out of poverty by passing the living wage law.

Ike has for 25 years demonstrated unusual leadership in bringing people together to help solve the County’s problems. He has attracted strong support from other leaders, reflected in quotes even from those with differing views on issues such as former County Executives Sid Kramer and Neal Potter. The Leggett campaign has participants from varied backgrounds, occupations and interests beginning to build a broad coalition of supporters from all over the County.

In earlier leadership experience Ike served as a Captain in the United States Army. His tour of duty in the Vietnam War earned him the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign Medals. As an administrative aide he specialized in small business concerns for Congressman Parren Mitchell of Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. He also worked as a Social Security Administration claims examiner and as a staff attorney for the Department of the Navy.

In 1977 Ike Leggett was selected as a White House Fellow, one of a small number of citizens selected from across the country for their exemplary civic, professional and educational achievement. This program assigns the Fellows as staff members to the President of the United States and Members of the Cabinet. After his term as a Fellow, the Board of Directors of the White House Fellows Foundation elected Leggett as its Treasurer.

Background

Ike has received more than three dozen honors and awards from a variety of organizations, including the Leadership Award from the Maryland State Teachers Association, Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Montgomery County Humane Society, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the American Lung Association, the Good Scout Award from the National Capital Area – Boy Scouts of America, the Advancement of Public Service Responsibility Award from the Maryland Bar Foundation, and the award for Achievement in Environmental & Occupational Health from Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association.

Ike Leggett lives in Burtonsville with his wife, Catherine, who is Vice President for Human Resources of the International City Management Association; ICMA is a non-profit company that assists retired public service employees with financial matters. His daughter, Yaminah, a bio-medical researcher, and her family live in Silver Spring. Ike is a member of the Resurrection Baptist Church of Olney.

Race Facts

Race Type: Open Seat
Primary Opponent: Steve Silverman
Primary Date: September 12, 2006
Primary Election Results: Won Primary
General Opponent: Chuck Floyd
General Election Date: November 7, 2006
General Election Results: Won, 68 – 22 percent