The process continues to select a County Executive to complete the four-year term of Johnny Olszewski Jr., which expires in December 2026. Olszewski was elected on Nov. 5 to the U.S. Representative and will vacate the seat on Jan. 3.
In a Dec. 11 news release, the Council announced that it had narrowed the list of 12 candidates interested in holding the position in a “caretaker” capacity to five finalists, and would hold public interviews. They are:
- Jim Brochin, an insurance broker and former District 42 state senator who ran for county executive in 2018 and lost to Johnny Olszewski in the Democratic primary by 17 votes.
- Yara Cheikh, an entrepreneur and president of the Board of Library Trustees
- Katherine Klausmeier, a three-term state senator for District 8 who serves as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee
- George Perdikakis Sr., a former director of the county’s Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management and a former head of the Maryland Environmental Service
- Barry Williams, who has served as a director of Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and director of Workforce Development under three administrations. A former principal at Randallstown High School, currently Williams is president of a consulting group and vice president of the Pikesville Armory Foundation.
Olszewski’s resignation from his second term as County Executive takes effect 9 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2025. At that time, he will be sworn in to Congress to represent the second congressional district. Olszewski replaces the retiring U.S. Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger.
On Dec. 10, at a public hearing held in the council’s chambers in the county courthouse in Towson and via teleconference, residents shared what qualities they believe are important in the next county executive. About 75 individuals addressed council members.
The council will interview the finalists as part of the public legislative session on Dec. 16, which starts at 6 p.m. Beginning at approximately 7 p.m., each candidate will share their experience, qualifications and vision for the county. The candidates will also be given topics and related questions to incorporate into their remarks.
In accordance with the county charter, the County Council is tasked with electing the next County Executive to serve the remainder of the current term.
The council must approve the interim county executive with at least four votes of the seven votes. If that doesn’t happen, County Administrator D’Andrea Walker will serve as the interim until a successor is chosen.