Former County Council member Isiah Leggett's bid to be elected county executive next year appears to be in high gear.
On Saturday, more than 200 supporters attended a rally that Leggett had billed as discussion of women's issues.
During the event, held at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, several elected Democratic officials from Montgomery, including state Sens. Ida G. Ruben and Rona E. Kramer and Dels. Sheila E. Hixson and Karen S. Montgomery , endorsed Leggett.
"He is brilliant, caring and modest," Hixson told the crowd, which more than once started chanting, "We need Ike."
Council member Marilyn Praisner (D-Eastern County) also pledged to work for Leggett in his race against council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large) for the Democratic nomination.
Leggett's wife, Catherine, hosted the event. She gave a rousing speech in support of her husband's candidacy.
"He is ethical. He is smart. He is a fabulous leader," Catherine Leggett said. "He wants to connect with the women of Montgomery County."
When he took the stage, Leggett spoke of how his mother raised 13 children in Louisiana during segregation.
"I know the struggles of women," Leggett said. "I know the struggles and difficulties you go through, when you are working two or three jobs. . . . Local government needs to make sure that your job gets easier."
He then talked about his decision in the mid-1980s to push for pay equity for women when he was chairman of the county Human Relations Commission.
Leggett, who is black, appears to be crafting a strategy of running as the candidate best suited to lead a county with an increasingly diverse population.
"This county is changing," Leggett said. "The real test of leaders in Montgomery in the future is how to recognize and effectively manage that change. I believe I represent that change."
