By Ann E. Marimow and Miranda S. Spivack
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, September 7, 2006

The leading Democratic candidates for Montgomery county executive sharpened their attacks yesterday, with Isiah "Ike" Leggett insisting that the extent of his rival's campaign cash from developers is a "legitimate concern" and Steven A. Silverman accusing Leggett of "character assassination."

As the primary campaign entered its final week, Silverman sought to narrow the differences between himself and Leggett on what has emerged as a pivotal issue in the contest to succeed County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D).

"You've taken developer money; I've taken developer money. You're taking it now; I'm taking it now," Silverman said during a debate between the two candidates on Washington Post Radio. "The reality is, that if you want to say that I'm doing something wrong, then you ought to come right out and say it. But instead, you're creating this perception."

Leggett has tried to tap into voters' concerns about congested roads and crowded schools by promising to slow the pace of growth. Silverman has said the solution is more roads and mass transit. In recent ads and in interviews, Silverman has stressed his desire to "limit and manage" growth and tried to soften the impression among critics that he is beholden to developers.

Leggett's first television advertisement, which aired this week, hammers at the source of Silverman's contributions.

Silverman has dramatically outpaced Leggett in fundraising, fueled largely by money from the development industry. Overall, Silverman has amassed $2.2 million, compared with Leggett's $831,000.

A Washington Post analysis of Silverman's campaign contributions of $1,000 and higher since late 2003, based on state election data, shows that about $900,000 has come from development interests, including developers, builders, lawyers and electrical, concrete and excavating companies. The contributions came from more than 400 donors who made about 470 separate contributions.

Leggett's finance reports show that, since he began fundraising early last year, he has received contributions of more than $1,000 from 44 donors with ties to the development industry, totaling $77,550.

In his new ad, Leggett portrays himself as "an independent voice for all citizens of Montgomery County -- not the special interests." And in the radio debate yesterday, Leggett said it was fair to raise questions about the money Silverman has received from developers and his votes on the County Council.

Leggett criticized Silverman, an at-large council member, for helping change the county's approach to land-use policy in 2003. That year, the council imposed a hefty tax on development but got rid of a traffic-review standard that restrained construction.

"There's a legitimate concern when you raise the tons of money you have," Leggett said.

The changes effectively lifted a ban on housing construction in neighborhoods such as Fairland and White Oak, which are north of downtown Silver Spring. As a result of the changes, 838 homes countywide were approved in fiscal 2005 beyond the number that would have been approved under the old policy, according to a county planning department analysis.

Silverman responded that lifting the ban made an "imperceptible" difference in the amount of development. He also pointed out that Leggett did not restrict contributions from developers while serving on the council from 1986 to 2002.

"No one questioned his integrity," Silverman said. "He's engaging in character assassination, and others are by suggesting that somehow or another as county executive I'm not going to be fair or independent."

In this campaign, he said, Leggett has taken money from employee unions that will negotiate contracts with the next county executive.

Leggett's campaign received at least $22,000 from labor union political action committees, according to state campaign finance data, including $6,000 from a carpenters union PAC, $12,000 from two firefighters unions and $6,000 from the union representing many county workers.

Leggett called such contributions "small potatoes" and said there's no comparison to Silverman's fundraising.

Also this week, potential voters received mailers from two newly formed groups with differing views on growth and development.

In its mailer, a group called Good Government PAC singled out Silverman for leading the "charge to loosen restraints on growth." Among the group's supporters is Dolores Milmoe, an official with Audubon Naturalist Society, acting as a private citizen.

Another mailer from a group of local builders, called the Committee for Responsible Growth, put Silverman at the top of its slate as someone who will "maintain the quality of life we enjoy."