Ike Leggett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ike Leggett
Leggett at a ribbon cutting ceremony in October 2009
6th Montgomery County Executive
In office December 4, 2006 – December 3, 2018
Preceded by	Doug Duncan
Succeeded by	Marc Elrich
Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
In office 2002–2004
Preceded by	Terry Lierman
Succeeded by	Wayne Rogers
Member of the Montgomery County Council from the at-large district
In office 1986–2002
Personal details
Born	Isiah Leggett (1944-07-25) July 25, 1944 (age 81) Deweyville, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Catherine
Children	Yaminah
Residences	Burtonsville, Maryland, U.S.
Alma mater	Southern University (BA) Howard University (MA, JD) George Washington University (L.M)
Occupation	Lawyer, politician, law professor, public official
Awards	Bronze Star Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1967–1971
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	Vietnam War

Isiah "Ike" Leggett (born July 25, 1944) is an American politician from Maryland. He was the leader of Montgomery County, Maryland as its County Executive. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Ike Leggett was born in Deweyville, Texas. He went to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After serving in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army, he earned a law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C..

In 1986, he made history by becoming the first African-American elected to the county council in Montgomery County, Maryland. He served on the council until 2002. Later, Leggett was elected county executive of Montgomery County in 2006. He was the first African-American to hold that important position.

Early Life and Education

Ike Leggett was born on July 25, 1944, in Deweyville, Texas. He grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, with twelve brothers and sisters. In Alexandria, he played football for Peabody Magnet High School.

College Years and Civil Rights

He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge. He worked as a groundskeeper to help pay for his schooling and graduated in 1967. During his time in college, he was a student leader in the civil rights movement. He even met Martin Luther King Jr. twice. He led the civil rights efforts on campus while also leading the Southern University Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) unit. He was elected president of his class in his senior year.

Military Service and Further Education

In 1968, Leggett served as a captain in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service. After the war, he continued his education. In 1974, he earned two degrees from Howard University in Washington, D.C.. He graduated at the top of his law school class. Soon after, he earned another law degree from George Washington University.

He returned to Howard University in 1976 to teach law. He continued teaching there until he was elected county executive in 2006.

Political Career

Ike Leggett's first role in county government was on the Montgomery County Human Relations Committee. He served on this committee from 1979 to 1986 and later became its chair.

Serving on the County Council

In 1986, he was elected to the Montgomery County Council. He was the first African-American to ever serve on the council. He was re-elected three more times. He also served three times as the council president. During his time on the council, he helped pass important laws. These included a law about fair wages and a public smoking ban. In 2002, Leggett decided not to run for re-election to the county council.

Leading the Maryland Democratic Party

After his term on the council ended in December 2002, Leggett was elected chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party. This role was important for keeping the support of African-American voters and helping the party become stronger.

Running for County Executive in 2006

In December 2004, Leggett left his role as chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party. He decided to run for county executive of Montgomery County. In the Democratic primary election, he ran against Steve Silverman. Even though Silverman spent much more money on his campaign, Leggett won the nomination. He then faced a Republican candidate and an independent candidate in the general election. Leggett easily won the election in November 2006 with 68 percent of the votes. He won almost all of the county's voting areas.

First Term as County Executive

Leggett became county executive on December 4, 2006. Early in his term, he worked on important issues. He suggested increasing the statewide gas tax to help fund transportation projects and reduce traffic congestion. This idea was supported by the county council.

He also helped solve a big local issue: finding a place for day laborers to wait for jobs in Gaithersburg. Leggett found a county-owned site for a day laborer center within his first few months in office. This center has helped many workers and employers.

Second Term as County Executive

In 2010, Leggett ran for re-election as county executive. He did not have any opponents in the Democratic primary election. In the general election, he ran against Douglas Rosenfeld. Leggett won re-election in November 2010 with 66 percent of the votes. He won most of the county's voting areas again.

Third Term as County Executive

Leggett won the Democratic nomination for a third term in 2014. He ran against former county executive Doug Duncan and councilmember Phil Andrews. Leggett won with 45 percent of the vote. In the general election, he defeated the Republican candidate James Shalleck with 65 percent of the vote.

Before new term limits were passed in 2016, Leggett had already said he would not run for re-election for a fourth term. His third term ended on December 3, 2018. In January 2015, Leggett was elected president of the Maryland Association of Counties. In January 2017, he did not approve a bill that would have slowly raised the county's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020.

Personal Life

Leggett and his wife Catherine in 2024

Ike Leggett is married to his wife, Catherine.

Leggett and his wife are strong supporters of Montgomery College. They have given money to the college for many years. Catherine Leggett received an honorary degree from the college in 2019. In September 2024, the college named its Math and Science Building after Catherine and Isiah Leggett to honor their support.