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There is just one thing Douglas E. Rosenfeld, a Republican candidate for Montgomery County executive, wants voters to know about him: "He's not Ike."

Rosenfeld, an attorney, has taken aim at County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) in his bid for his job.

"I'm running because it's time to dethrone King Ike," Rosenfeld said, referring to Leggett. "Our county can't afford four more years of a county executive who thinks he's the most important resident in the county."

First, however, Rosenfeld must defeat his Republican opponent, Daniel Vovak, in the Sept. 14 primary election. The winner will oppose Leggett in November.

Rosenfeld, 52, of Potomac, is in private practice, and his background is in labor and employment litigation.

"Ike Leggett builds himself a personal bathroom at taxpayer expense, then stands by as citizens are told we're going to remove port-a-johns from the county's parks," Rosenfeld said.

"There's one standard for Ike, and there's one standard for the rest of us, and it's time for that to end."

Rosenfeld was referring to an often-criticized $65,000 bathroom in Leggett's office suite. County officials have said it is not a private bathroom for the executive.

"Ike Leggett has a personal security detail paid at taxpayer expense for round-the-clock protection at the same time he furloughs the police who protect the rest of us," Rosenfeld said, referring to the four-person security team that protects Leggett.

The part-time security detail began under the Douglas Duncan administration.

Rosenfeld also criticized Leggett's push for urbanization of Montgomery County in places like White Flint and the new Great Seneca Science Corridor, while Leggett lives in a more remote part of the county, Burtonsville.

Rosenfeld said his larger concern is Leggett's support for his smart growth initiative — the spending plan to invest in the purchase of land and buildings for county government operations, create affordable housing near transit and upgrade economic development.

County spokesman Patrick K. Lacefield says the initiative invests the county's capital budget more wisely.

Rosenfeld said the taxpayers' money largely has been wasted, and that Leggett has taken funds from transportation and education to pay for the initiative. Rosenfeld claims that Leggett has diverted $54 million from transportation infrastructure projects to build a second warehouse for the county's Department of Liquor Control.

Lacefield denies the claim.

"While the county's beer stays cold, the county's residents bake in traffic," Rosenfeld said.

The Republican candidate also criticized Leggett's decision to increase the county's energy tax this year to help fill a $1 billion budget shortfall in fiscal 2011, which began July 1.

"The guy doesn't get it," Rosenfeld said. "He lives in a bubble. He's got this self-imposed view that we can afford everything, and we can't."

ecunningham@gazette.net

-Residence: Potomac

-Age: 52

-Party: Republican

-Education: Law degree from American University; master's degree, Northwestern University (journalism); bachelor's degree, Union College (economics)

-Work experience: Attorney in private law firm practice

-Family: Wife, Michele, and four daughters attending county public schools

-Top three issues: Restore Montgomery County's promise:  A robust economy, superior schools and safe communities shielded from overdevelopment

-Campaign funds: $733.48

-Previous political experience: None

-Other affiliations: None

-Website: www.rosenfeld2010.com