James P. Gleason

James P. Gleason (October 14, 1921 – February 1, 2008) was an American politician who was the first executive of Montgomery County, Maryland and to date the only Republican to hold the office.

Early life, military service, and education Gleason was born on October 14, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Millicent Gleason. His father worked as an accountant and an auditor, and his job required him to travel frequently.

Georgette E. Smith, a native of Staten Island who had joined WAVES, met Gleason while she was stationed in Cleveland. Gleason ran against three other Republicans, namely former Congressman Edward Tylor Miller, real estate broker Harry Simms, and former Hagerstown mayor Herman L. Mills.

In May 1962, the Maryland Republican Party distributed sample ballots, marked "official", that omitted Gleason's name. Gleason said that the Maryland Republican Party violated its principles by openly preferring one Republican candidate over others.

Miller defeated Gleason in the Republican primary election, receiving 49 percent of the vote to Gleason's 39 percent. Following the election, Gleason decided to practice law in Prince George's County.

1964 In 1964, Gleason ran again for the United States Senate, challenging incumbent James Glenn Beall.

Beall defeated Gleason in the Republican primary election, receiving 66 percent of the vote to Gleason's 34 percent.

Montgomery County Council When Montgomery County Councilmember David Scull died in office, the Council voted to appoint Gleason to the seat on March 7, 1968. As Scull was a Republican, Gleason returned the Council to four Republicans out of seven seats on the Council.

Montgomery County Executive On June 11, 1970, Gleason said that he would run to be the first elected Montgomery County Executive. In the Republican primary election, Gleason ran against Don R. Kendall, the former chairman of the Maryland Republican Party. In the general election, Gleason faced Democrat William W. Greenhalgh. Four Democrats ran the office, namely Montgomery County Council members Idamae Garrott and William Sher; and former executive director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission John P. Hewitt. No Republicans filed to challenge Gleason's reelection, and no Republican primary election was held for the office. Garrott won the Democratic primary election and faced Gleason in the general election.

Gleason's tenure was marked by an extensive reorganization of Montgomery County's government in 1972 and by conflicts with the Montgomery County Council and his constituents. Loath to compromise, Gleason threatened to withhold Montgomery County funds from Washington Metro, which he had helped plan and which he avidly supported, unless it promised to build two lines into the County. He refused to play party politics, and instead appointed department heads and staff with an even-handedness based on merit.

Later life and death On February 1, 1978, Gleason announced his retirement from politics to pursue a career of writing fiction.

Gleason died from complications from prostate cancer at his home on September 4, 2008.

Electoral history 1962

1974