Olszewski, Elfreth Sworn Into Congress: Focus Now On Next County Executive, State Senator

MARYLAND — Maryland's three new U.S. Representatives took the oath of office Friday, launching their two-year terms in Congress. Democrats Johnny Olszewski (District 2), Sarah Elfreth (District 3) and April McClain Delaney (District 6) replaced outgoing Democrats C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and David Trone, respectively.

Their swearing-in leaves voters wondering who will replace Olszewski as Baltimore County executive and Elfreth as Maryland state senator for District 30. McClain Delaney was not in a public office before her election.

The replacement process is nearly complete for Olszewski and Elfreth, but voters don't have a direct say in either case.

Replacing Olszewski

The Baltimore County Council plans to appoint Olszewski's replacement at its Monday meeting at 6 p.m.

Olszewski resigned from his post as county executive on Friday. D'Andrea L. Walker, the county's administrative officer, will serve as acting county executive until then.

Twelve residents applied for the vacancy, and the field was narrowed to five candidates last month.

County Council Chair Izzy Patoka (D-Pikesville) said the finalists are:

• Jim Brochin, former state senator
• Yara A. Cheikh, community activist
• Katherine A. Klausmeier, state senator
• George G. Perdikakis Sr., environmental engineer with experience running local government departments
• Barry F. Williams, former Baltimore County Recreation and Parks director and former Randallstown High School principal

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

Olszewski's replacement will finish his 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.

"I am thrilled to see that so many people feel connected to and engaged with local government," Patoka said Dec. 16 on Facebook after a public hearing with the finalists. "A lot is [at] stake, and I look forward to selecting someone with strong ties to the community, experience in government and a track record of delivering results to residents of all backgrounds."

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

Olszewski told The Baltimore Banner his biggest accomplishments as county executive were improving transparency by hosting town halls, launching public dashboards and creating the Office of the Inspector General. He's also proud of expanding the County Council from seven to nine members and investing in schools and recreation.

"We can compromise without compromising our core values. I think I’ve proven that as county executive," Olszewski told The Banner. "We’ve got four Democrats and three Republicans on our County Council. But we’ve had almost every single vote in Baltimore County on budgets, gun safety legislation, common sense police reform amass a 7-0 or 6-1 vote. That speaks to the fact that these things can be bipartisan."

Related:

• 5 County Executive Finalists Revealed To Replace Congress-Bound Olszewski
• Olszewski Resignation Date Set, Replacement Candidates Announced
• 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

Replacing Elfreth

Three candidates applied to fill Elfreth's seat, which represents the Annapolis peninsula and southern Anne Arundel County.

Both of District 30A's delegates, Shaneka Henson and Dana Jones, applied for the senate seat. Robert James Leonard also applied before the Dec. 24 deadline. Written public comment was accepted until New Year's Day.

The Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee is tasked with replacing Elfreth. The committee's members are elected by the county's registered Democratic voters.

The committee is hosting a public meeting Saturday to interview the candidates and nominate a replacement. The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library. The meeting will also be live streamed on Facebook, but the public will not have a chance to speak.

The committee will adjourn for deliberations and reconvene for a public vote. The committee will announce the winner on social media within two hours of the vote, and the chair will send a formal letter to the governor with the final roll call vote within 24 hours.

More information about the process is posted here.

To learn more about the bids of frontrunners Henson and Jones, read The Baltimore Banner's analysis of their records.

Elfreth said she is"one of Maryland's most effective state legislators, passing 91 bipartisan bills into law." She said her focuses were protecting the Chesapeake Bay, expanding prenatal care and supporting veterans with PTSD.

"It is the honor of my life to be officially sworn in as a United States Congresswoman, representing Maryland’s Third District. Today, I am reminded of the trust that Marylanders have placed in me to fight for them—to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, champion the kitchen table issues that matter most to Marylanders, protect our reproductive rights, uphold our democracy, curb gun violence, and so much more," Elfreth said in a Friday press release. "I ran for Congress on the belief that we can solve hard problems and show up for our constituents by bringing people together and putting people above politics. I have proudly worked across the aisle during my six years serving in the Maryland Senate, and I am fully committed to carrying that collaborative spirit to Washington while fighting for Maryland’s values and priorities."