POLL: Best Candidate in 2014 County Executive Race

A few potential candidates have expressed interest in the 2014 race for Anne Arundel county executive, according to reports.

Poll: What Should Leopold Do Next?

John Leopold, former Anne Arundel County executive, left jail Friday after serving a 30-day sentence for misconduct.

John Leopold, the former Anne Arundel County executive found guilty on two counts of criminal misconduct in January, was released Friday after serving a 30-day jail sentence. Leopold will continue to serve 30 days on house arrest, according to his sentencing. After starting his political career 43 years ago as a state representative in Hawaii, the 70-year-old faces his first time out of elected office since 1995, according to Maryland State Archives. Patch wants to know what readers think Leopold should do next. Vote in our poll. Editor's note: The poll has been published to all eight Patch websites in Anne Arundel County.

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Sen. Mikulski Meets with Anne Arundel County Exec

County Executive Laura Neuman met with the senator to discuss the local impact of the sequester, jobs and working together for the people of Anne Arundel County.

County Executive Neuman Takes Oath of Office

Laura Neuman said she will make Anne Arundel County a leader in Maryland.

Anne Arundel's new county executive, Laura Neuman, was sworn into office on Friday morning at the county courthouse in the company of her family. Neuman recited the words that formalized her office, while standing next to her daughter, Avery, and son, Alex—who both beamed and waved for the cameras. After the ceremony, Neuman laid out a portion of her plans as executive. "We will be a leader in the state, and I look forward to meeting that effort. We will restore confidence in the executive branch of government in Anne Arundel County," she said. "I am truly honored to have this opportunity. Thank you." Neuman assumed the office of county executive almost exactly 12 hours after Thursday night's County Council meeting, where she received the …

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Legal Opinion: Council Members Not Eligible for Executive Appointment

The Anne Arundel County Attorney received an opinion that the county's charter disqualifies council members from being appointed county executive.

In the wake of former County Executive John Leopold's resignation, two Anne Arundel County Council members expressed interest in a bid for the seat, but attorneys familiar with charter legislation say the county's charter makes the council members ineligible. After council members John Grasso (R–District 2) and Jerry Walker (R–District 7) expressed interest in putting their name in the running, County Attorney John Hodgson requested an opinion on behalf of the county from Rosenberg, Martin Greenberg LLP, as to whether they are eligible to be appointed to the office. Andrew H. Baida, an attorney for the law firm, cited several county and state rulings that suggest this section of the county charter makes current council members ineligible: …

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As Deadline Looms, No Candidates Have Filed for Executive Race

The council is set to appoint the next executive on Feb. 21.

As of Wednesday, there have been no applications submitted for the open county executive position, and the deadline for application is Friday. But a handful of local politicians have their eyes on the seat. The Anne Arundel County Council is set to select a successor for former county executive John R. Leopold later this month. Leopold resigned on Feb. 1, shortly after he was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in office. Since then, Leopold's Chief Administrative Officer John Hammond has been serving as executive. Leopold's term was set to expire in 2014. The person appointed by the council later this month would only serve out the remainder of Leopold’s term, and an election in 2014 would choose the next executive. Candidates must …

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Republican Meeting To Discuss County Executive Process

The public is invited to ask questions and speak with potential candidates on Thursday night at the library in Odenton.

The West County Republican Club will host a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the process of appointing a new county executive in Anne Arundel County. The event is open to the public and will start at 6 p.m. Thursday at the West County Library in Odenton. According to the club's Facebook page, the appointment process will be discussed and there may be an opportunity for candidates to "interact with the public and respond to Republican questions." The Capital reported attendees will include Sen. Ed Reilly (R-Crofton) as moderator; Kendel Ehrlich, wife of former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.; Del. Steve Schuh (R-Gibson Island) and 2012 U.S. Senate candidate Dan Bongino. In an email to Patch last week, Bongino said he was "strongly …

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Council To Vote on New County Exec on Feb. 21

Those interested in the job for county executive in Anne Arundel County must submit an application by Feb. 15.

Leopold's Sentencing Set for March 14

John Leopold's fate as county executive could be postponed until his sentencing.