Ike Leggett Endorses Nancy King

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has announced his support for Senator Nancy King over challenger Saqib Ali. Following is King's press release.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
June 14, 2010

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett Endorses Senator Nancy King

Rockville, Maryland – Citing Senator Nancy King's tireless advocacy for Montgomery County's public schools, County Executive Isiah Leggett today endorsed her campaign for the Maryland Senate.

"Nancy King has been a strong supporter of Montgomery County’s public school students and teachers. She played the lead role in protecting Montgomery County schools from a devastating $23.4 million budget cut this year," said County Executive Leggett. "Nancy is the only member of the Senate who served as a school board president. Her firsthand experience with our school system is exactly what our community needs in the Senate."

Senator King led the fight to protect the Montgomery County public school system from a $23.4 million cut it faced under Maryland's maintenance of effort law. Senator King's bill (SB 476) waived the maintenance of effort penalty for this year and directed the legislature to study long-term reform to the maintenance of effort law. The Governor signed Senator King's bill into law on April 13, 2010.

"I got involved with the PTA because I wanted to make sure my daughters got the best possible education. I ran for office because I want to make sure every child is taught by the best teachers in safe and modern classrooms," said Senator King. "This term, we protected our students and teachers from cuts - but the real battle is still ahead. I am in this race because our community needs experienced leadership in the fight to protect our schools."

Senator King served as President of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations from 1993 - 1994. She served as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education from 1994 - 2002, and as its President from 1997 - 1998 and 2000 - 2001. She served as Chair of the Education Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Delegates. She is the past Chair of the Education Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators, and she is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families.

Senator King served District 39 in the House of Delegates from 2003 to 2007, when she was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator PJ Hogan. District 39 includes all or parts of the Montgomery County communities of Montgomery Village, Hadley Farms, Washington Grove, Flower Hill, Germantown, North Potomac, Darnestown, and Derwood.

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