Posted on 11/07/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 7, 2024 - With Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski elected to Congress Tuesday, the Baltimore County Council will begin the search to fill the position for the remainder of the term, until 2026.
Thise expressing interest include:
Former state Sen. Jim Brochin, Former state Del. Jon Cardin, Real estate firm owner Yara Cheikh, Former CCBC professor Tara Ebersole, State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, Former county official Barry Williams
As Olszewski is expected to start his new job in January, the Baltimore County Council is hoping to find a replacement around that time. The County Council is responsible for filling the position. Since Olszewski is a Democrat, based on County procedures, they are required to fill the position with another Democrat. If the County Council does not find a replacement by the time Olszewski leaves, County Administrative Officer D'Andrea Walker would temporarily take over until Council reached a decision.
While several people have already expressed interest in the position, Baltimore County Council Chair Izzy Patoka said they will open an online portal for interested applicants.
"We want to be ready to go with an interim shortly after he leaves office," Patoka said.
However, Baltimore County Council member Pat Young said there has been limited conversation about the County Council's plan moving forward. He said he would have liked to see more discussions take place.
"We were pretty much aware of what the result was going to be and if there is any action taken from the Council today to announce what happens next, I am not aware of it, and it should have been a collective decision," Young said. "If there is, its being done unilaterally."
As for Council members who may be interested in the open County Executive position, Patoka said he is not interested.
"One of the considerations is the Interim County Executive has to commit to not running in 2026, and I am still weighing that option," Patoka said.
"There is sentiment among the Council that we want someone who is committed to not running in 2026. The sentiment is to not give any potential candidate in 2026 an unfair advantage," he added.
However, Councilmember Julian Jones clarified that there was no county rule prohibiting that.
"Some of my colleagues, that's their desire, but there's no rule that someone can't run in 2026," Jones said.
When asked if Jones was interested in the position he said, "Having been here for 10 years and chairman for four, I look forward to serving in any capacity that my colleagues choose to call me to do. I am humbled to do whatever they want me to do."
Young said he does not have an interested in the County Executive position.
Other council members did not respond to a request for comment.