Leopold had run as an outsider. He refused to hire campaign staff or pay for pollsters, preferring door-knocking or standing by roadsides waving a big sign himself. He also ran on a pledge to control growth.
But now -- come on, he needs the money. "Unfortunately, that is the system of politics we live in," Leopold told the Washington Post. "Elections for an office like county executive require raising large sums. But there is no quid pro quo going on here."
