James P. Gleason

In 1962, Gleason ran for the United States Senate seat vacated by the retiring Senator John Marshall Butler.[3] Gleason ran against three other Republicans, namely former Congressman Edward Tylor Miller, real estate broker Harry Simms, and former Hagerstown mayor Herman L. Mills.[4]

In May 1962, the Maryland Republican Party distributed sample ballots, marked "official", that omitted Gleason's name.[5] Gleason said that the Maryland Republican Party violated its principles by openly preferring one Republican candidate over others.[5] Gleason continued to campaign vigorously.[6]

Miller defeated Gleason in the Republican primary election, receiving 49 percent of the vote to Gleason's 39 percent.[7] Following the election, Gleason decided to practice law in Prince George's County.[1][8]

In 1964, Gleason ran again for the United States Senate, challenging incumbent James Glenn Beall.[8] William A. Albaugh of Mount Rainier and Henry J. Laque, Jr. of North Linthicum also ran in the Republican primary.[8]

Gleason criticized Beall's work in the Senate, saying that Beall had allowed Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson's political advisor Bobby Baker to cover up his acts of bribery and arranging sexual favors in exchange for Congressional votes and government contracts.[9]

Beall defeated Gleason in the Republican primary election, receiving 66 percent of the vote to Gleason's 34 percent.[10]

When Montgomery County Councilmember David Scull died in office, the Council voted to appoint Gleason to the seat on March 7, 1968.[11] As Scull was a Republican, Gleason returned the Council to four Republicans out of seven seats on the Council.[12]

On June 11, 1970, Gleason said that he would run to be the first elected Montgomery County Executive.[13] In the Republican primary election, Gleason ran against Don R. Kendall, the former chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.[13] Gleason won the Republican primary election, receiving 62 percent of the vote to Kendall's 38 percent.[14][15] In the general election, Gleason faced Democrat William W. Greenhalgh.[16] After recounts were completed, Gleason won the general election with 50.1 percent of the vote to Greenhalgh's 49.9 percent.[16]

On June 19, 1974, Gleason announced that he would run for reelection, saying that there were "many things here that have been not accomplished."[17] Four Democrats ran the office, namely Montgomery County Council members Idamae T. Garrott and William Sher; and former executive director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission John P. Hewitt.[18][19] No Republicans filed to challenge Gleason's reelection, and no Republican primary election was held for the office.[20] Garrott won the Democratic primary election and faced Gleason in the general election.[20]

Gleason won the general election, receiving 53 percent of the vote.[21]

Gleason's tenure was marked by an extensive reorganization of Montgomery County's government in 1972 and by conflicts with the Montgomery County Council and his constituents. Loath to compromise, Gleason threatened to withhold Montgomery County funds from Washington Metro, which he had helped plan and which he avidly supported, unless it promised to build two lines into the County. He refused to play party politics, and instead appointed department heads and staff with an even-handedness based on merit.