A Democrat, he served as the mayor of the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,[1] from 2004 to 2016.

Leighton defeated former city leader Tom McGroarty in the Democratic Party primary election in 2003, partly on a platform to revitalize Wilkes-Barre's downtown sector.

On June 9, 2005, Leighton unveiled his "I believe..." campaign for Wilkes-Barre,[2] which was intended to boost the city's spirits and rid residents of their cyncisim and negativity about the city.

Construction is complete on a planned downtown 14-screen theatre complex and a two-floor Barnes & Noble bookstore.

A Barnes & Noble bookstore opened in early October 2006.