Olszewski Resignation Date Set, Replacement Candidates Announced

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Congress-bound Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski (D) announced his forthcoming resignation on Tuesday, one day after the candidates to replace him were announced.

Olszewski will continue serving as county executive until Jan. 3, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Later that day, Olszewski will begin his two-year term serving Maryland Congressional District 2 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Olszewski defeated Republican Kim Klacik in November's general election. The seat was open because Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D) is retiring.

In his resignation letter, Olszewski touted "transformative and long-awaited projects in every community." He also prided himself on "weaving the values of equity and sustainability into the very fabric of our administration."

"We invested over a billion dollars in new school buildings, in our roadways, in our parks and recreation centers, and in our greenspaces and waterways," Olszewski wrote. "We made strategic investments in public safety and public services, which have made all of our neighborhoods safer."

Olszewski said his administration "strengthened our local democracy by adding a public funding option for elections and expanding the size of the County Council."

He also thinks his team "transformed Baltimore County into a model of open, accountable, and accessible government."

"We did all of this, and so much more, even as we also faced a series of historic challenges, including a hidden budget deficit, the COVID-19 global public health crisis that threatened our very way of life, and the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge," Olszewski said. "We were able to overcome all these obstacles — and innumerable others — through sustained collaboration, mutual trust, and an unwavering belief in the government's ability to be a force for good."

Olszewski submitted his resignation letter on his sixth anniversary of being sworn in for his first term as county executive.

"I have loved every single day in this office," Olszewski said. "It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your County Executive."

Selecting Next County Executive

The Baltimore County Council is now tasked with selecting a successor to Olszewski, who was elected to Congress and will leave his county post next month.

The County Council will hold a public hearing next week to seek feedback on the qualifications important to residents.

The County Council said the 12 candidates who submitted an application, which was posted publicly on the county website, are:

• Tara E. Ebersole, retired professor and administrator at the Community College of Baltimore County
• Jim Brochin, former state senator
• Barry F. Williams, former Baltimore County Recreation and Parks director and former Randallstown High School principal
• Jon S. Cardin, state delegate
• Paul Drutz-Hannahs, works with the federal government to digitize court systems
• Katherine A. Klausmeier, state senator
• Aris Melissaratos, state economic development head for former Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich
• Yara A. Cheikh, community activist
• George Perdikakis Sr., environmental engineer with experience running local government departments
• William M. Huhn, no information found
• Tom Quirk, former County Council member
• Gregory A. Dennis, no information found

Cardin issued a press release this weekend saying he withdrew his application, The Baltimore Banner reported, but he was still included in the list of applicants.

"My colleagues and I are very gratified at the response to the County Executive Announcement that was posted on our website. We received quality applications from the candidates, and we sincerely appreciate their interest and willingness to pursue the office of County Executive," Council Chair Izzy Patoka (D-Pikesville) said in a press release. "We are currently reviewing all submissions carefully, and look forward to electing the best candidate for the residents of Baltimore County."

The public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. in the County Council Chamber. This is not a candidate forum, and it is not intended for residents to endorse a specific candidate. Attendees can provide general testimony on the desired qualifications for the next county executive.

Public comments will also be accepted via email through Dec. 10 at countycouncil@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The County Council will then vote on the replacement, who will finish Olszewski's four-year term that expires on Dec. 6, 2026.

WYPR reported that Patoka said he and his colleagues are looking for a caretaker county executive, somebody who will finish Olszewski's term and not run for re-election in 2026.

The winning candidate must be approved by four of the seven county council members. The Council has four Democrats and three Republicans.

If nobody meets the four-vote threshold, WJZ said County Administrator D'Andrea Walker will become acting county executive.

The next county executive must be a Democrat, as the County Charter requires the successor to be from the same party as their predecessor.

The County Council did not initially plan to release the names of the applicants, but WYPR reported on Nov. 21 that the hopefuls would be identified publicly after the application period closed.

The county executive's annual salary is $192,000.

Related:

• Who Will Be Next Baltimore County Executive? Olszewski Leaves Soon For Congress
• Olszewski Defeats Klacik In Race For US House
• As Olszewski Aims For Congress, Here's How Baltimore County Would Replace Him