Baltimore County has a new County Executive and the first woman to serve in the role. Kathy Klausmeier, a member of the Maryland Senate since 2003, was sworn in Jan. 7 as the 15th county executive. She will complete the second four-year term vacated by Johnny Olszewski Jr., who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November and took office on Jan. 3.
The seven-member County Council selected Klausmeier from five finalists who delivered remarks as part of a public interview held during the council’s legislative session on Dec. 16, 2024. Council members made the decision in advance of the public announcement during the legislative session on Jan. 7. The vote was unanimous.
In a council press release, Klausmeier stated that she vows to focus on growing the economy, continuing historic investments in public schools and higher education, addressing local housing shortages, improving public safety and balancing the county’s $5 billion budget.
She also expressed a commitment to working to “improve public safety, continue investing in our schools, and secure our county’s fiscal future.” Klausmeier added, “I have a strong record of building partnerships with leaders from every community and I look forward to using that experience to continue our progress and move Baltimore County forward.”
Klausmeier, a resident of Perry Hall, represented District 8 in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1995 to 2003, and in the Senate from 2003 to 2025. As a state senator, Klausmeier was vice chair for the Finance Committee, chair for the Joint Committee on Workers’ Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight, and chair of the Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight.
Additionally, she has served in multiple leadership positions within the Maryland General Assembly such as assistant deputy majority whip, deputy majority leader, president pro team, and Senate chair for the Baltimore County delegation.
More than eight years of her tenure coincided with that of Olszewski, who represented District 6 in the House of Delegates and called her a “lifelong friend.”
Klausmeier resigned from the Senate on Jan. 7, a day before the General Assembly convened. The Baltimore County Central Committee will chose her successor.
Baltimore County Administrative Officer D’Andrea Walker served as interim county executive from Jan. 3 to Jan. 7.
Kathy Klausmeier with newly elected council chair Michael Ertel (center) with Baltimore County Council members (from left) Councilmen Todd Crandall, David Marks, Izzy Patoka, Julian Jones, Wade Kach and Pat Young. Photo: Baltimore County.