James P. Gleason (October 14, 1921 – February 1, 2008) was an American politician who was the first executive of Montgomery County, Maryland.

[2] Georgette E. Smith, a native of Staten Island who had joined WAVES, met Gleason while she was stationed in Cleveland.

[1] James A. McFadden, the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and a friend of Gleason's mother, wrote a letter on his behalf to Georgetown University, and the school decided to admit him for the spring term of 1946.

[1] Gleason worked for Senator William F. Knowland for six years, helping President Dwight D. Eisenhower's bills to be passed through Congress.

[3] Gleason ran against three other Republicans, namely former Congressman Edward Tylor Miller, real estate broker Harry Simms, and former Hagerstown mayor Herman L.

[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.

[10] When Montgomery County Councilmember David Scull died in office, the Council voted to appoint Gleason to the seat on March 7, 1968.

"[17] Four Democrats ran the office, namely Montgomery County Council members Idamae Garrott and William Sher; and former executive director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission John P.

He refused to play party politics, and instead appointed department heads and staff with an even-handedness based on merit.