Analysis:Independence, style helped Leopold beat the odds

On paper, it shouldn't have even been close.

Sheriff George F. Johnson IV easily beat his opponent in the Democratic county executive primary in September.

He raised $1.3 million for his campaign, rallied Democrats, labor unions and environmentalists to his cause and recruited more than 200 volunteers.

He faced Republican John Leopold, a state delegate who had lukewarm support from the GOP faithful and a reputation in some quarters as an unabashed opportunist. He got only 37 percent of the vote in beating four other candidates for the Republican nomination.

Mr. Leopold's $500,000 war chest included about...