Next State Senator Could Be Overlea High Grad Who Has Served Baltimore County Since 2019

PERRY HALL, MD — Baltimore County will soon have a new state senator, backfilling Kathy Klausmeier after her move to county executive. District 8 Democrat Carl Jackson, 40, is in store for a promotion from the Maryland House of Delegates to the State Senate.

Maryland Matters reported that Jackson beat out Del. Harry Bhandari, his 8th district Democratic colleague. Both men have served in the House of Delegates since 2019, but Maryland Matters said Jackson carried the endorsement of former County Executive and current U.S. Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-District 2).

Olszewski ran for the House of Representatives in November 2024 after Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger announced he wouldn't seek re-election. The Baltimore County Council responded, voting for then District 8 Sen. Klausmeier to finish the final two years of Olszewski's county executive term. The Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee was consequentially tasked with replacing Klausmeier.

The six District 8 central committee members unanimously voted for Jackson last Tuesday, Maryland Matters said. The Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee held a confirmation vote on Thursday, approving Jackson by a 27-1 margin.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) has the final say on whether to officially appoint Jackson.

District 8 covers Nottingham, Perry Hall, Rosedale, Overlea, Parkville and Hillendale.

“Each community is different, and each one has different needs,” Jackson said, according to The Baltimore Banner. “What is important is that each and every one has access to their elected officials and has the ability to express their needs with the understanding that they will not only be heard, but that their needs will be met.”

Jackson was born in Baltimore, and he graduated from Overlea High School. He holds a bachelor's and master's in business administration from Strayer University. He has held several positions in the University System of Maryland since 2005. He is married and has three children.

If appointed by Moore, The Banner said Jackson will finish Klausmeier's senatorial term, which ends in January 2027.

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