State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier is Baltimore County’s next executive.
The Baltimore County Council on Tuesday announced it had selected Klausmeier to serve as interim county executive and fulfill the remaining two years in the term of former Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.
Olszewski stepped down from his position last week as he was sworn in to Congress to represent Maryland’s 2nd congressional district. D’Andrea Walker, who has served as acting county executive since Olszewski’s resignation, will return to her role as county administrative officer.
Klausmeier brings 30 years of legislative experience as a member of the Maryland General Assembly, including eight years as a state delegate and 22 years as a state senator. For three decades, Klausmeier represented Maryland’s 8th district, which covers eastern Baltimore County.
Those experiences and relationships will be put to the test quickly as Klausmeier will work with her former colleagues to advance Baltimore County’s goals in Maryland’s legislative session that begins Wednesday.
The Baltimore County Council sought a replacement for Olszewski who would promise not to run for a full term in 2026. That’s because three current council members — Julian Jones, Izzy Patoka, and Pat Young — have expressed interest in running for county executive and do not want to compete against an incumbent.
After receiving 12 applications, the council narrowed the candidates list to five finalists with whom they conducted public interviews. In addition to Klausmeier, those finalists included former state Sen. Jim Brochin; former Baltimore County Director of Recreation and Parks Barry F. Williams; community activist Yara Cheikh; and former transportation and environmental protection departments leader George G. Perdikakis Sr.
