A Leader for Anne Arundel

John Leopold is both smart and independent.

GROWTH HAS long dominated the political debate in Anne Arundel County, and plans for an influx of jobs at Fort Meade give new urgency to finding the right answers. The two candidates for county executive promise to avoid the mistakes that resulted in a sprawl of development that has overtaxed roads and schools and made many residents resentful.

Both men running in the Nov. 7 election have long and enviable records of public service. We believe Del. John R. Leopold (R) is the better choice over Sheriff George F. Johnson IV (D).

Mr. Leopold is, by many measures, an unorthodox politician. In the recent hard-fought primary, he beat four other Republicans with a one-man campaign notable for modest spending and an absence of campaign staff. In three decades in the Maryland legislature, he established a reputation as a maverick willing to buck his party (including a governor not willing to forgive him his principled opposition to slots) and free of special interests. He proved to be smart and hardworking, establishing a solid legislative record on issues such as education, the environment and transportation. He is renowned for his constituent service and his deep knowledge of the county as well as of statewide concerns.

Mr. Johnson, finishing his third term as sheriff, has the edge in management experience, but Mr. Leopold's combination of intelligence and independence makes him an appealing choice to lead the fast-growing county. He, more than most, knows the challenges facing the county, and he has given much thought both to the types of people he needs to surround himself with and to new ways of looking at old problems.