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Montgomery County Republicans see Jerry N. Johnson's appointment to lead the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as a potential election issue.

"In 2010, our candidates will be taking a look at it — rates are up, we have a lot of water main breaks," said Mark Uncapher, chairman of the Montgomery GOP. "What happens between now and then will obviously be important."

Johnson has cleared a background investigation, and negotiations for a contract are expected to be complete by July 8.

Although Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and others have praised Johnson's selection, the choice has drawn some criticism, based on Johnson's tenure with the Washington Water and Sewer Authority.

Some activists are concerned about Johnson's role in the disclosure and response to the discovery of lead in water in Washington from 2001 to 2004.

A 2004 investigation overseen by Eric H. Holder Jr. — then of the law firm Covington and Burling, now U.S. attorney general — said Johnson spent much time and attention controlling the message to residents about the contamination.

The report said that he and WASA chief engineer Michael Marcotte should have concentrated more on eliminating fairly high levels of lead leaching, the report suggested.

Uncapher said he didn't believe the WSSC — where the problems have centered on failing pipes and management issues associated with a six-member bicounty board — was a partisan issue in and of itself.

"Part of the issue may be we need to have some change in governance at the agency," he said. "And that's something we need to be taking a look at."

As the minority party in heavily Democratic Montgomery County, the GOP might not have much influence in the selection process, Uncapher admitted. But the party has talked with candidates who, in turn, are likely to help bring attention to the agency, Uncapher said.

"Sometimes the problems with the commission have not gotten as much political play as it might," he said. "Clearly, it's been a dysfunctional agency for quite some time."