Camden County freeholder Leonard won't seek third term

Camden County Freeholder Ian K. Leonard will not seek a third term this year, he said Friday, citing his growing responsibilities as political director for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Leonard, 37, has been on the board since 2009, when he became the state's youngest elected freeholder.

"Serving as a Camden County freeholder has been one of my greatest achievements, and I'm enormously appreciative of the support I've received from the people of Camden County in my two prior runs," Leonard said in a statement.

After fellow Camden County Democrat Donald Norcross was elected to Congress last year, the union leader asked Leonard to play a larger role in the electrician worker's statewide organization, Leonard said.

"This will require me to be on the road much more in our advocacy for the many men and women of our union," Leonard said. "Rest assured, I intend on continuing my active involvement with the outstanding Camden County Democratic Party."

Leonard is liaison to the county's public works department, libraries, and vocational and technical schools. In the past, he worked for former State Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D., Camden). He is also a member of the Air National Guard, 177th Fighter Wing.

Leonard's term expires at the end of the calendar year.