Republican Kim Klacik is running to represent Maryland’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, challenging Democrat and current Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. The seat is currently held by retiring Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger, who has represented the district since 2003.
Klacik emerged victorious in the Republican primary, winning 63% of the vote over her two opponents, Dave Wallace (23.5%) and John Thormann (13.5%). Her policy positions generally align with the national Republican platform, including calls for increased border security and deportations, reduced business regulations, and expanded parental rights in schools.
This is not Klacik’s first bid for Congress. In 2020, she ran as the Republican candidate for Maryland’s 7th district, facing off against Kweisi Mfume in both a special election following the death of Elijah Cummings and the November general election. Klacik received 25% of the vote in the special election and 28% in the general.
A resident of Middle River, Maryland, Klacik previously ran a workforce development nonprofit in Baltimore before transitioning to a career in talk radio. She grew up in Accokeek, Maryland and has a daughter.
The 2nd congressional district race will be an open seat contest, as incumbent Ruppersberger is retiring after nearly two decades in office. Klacik will face off against Olszewski, the current Baltimore County Executive, in the November general election.
While the district has been solidly Democratic in recent elections, with Ruppersberger winning reelection by comfortable margins, Klacik’s campaign will test the political climate in a post-Trump era. With the national environment potentially favoring Republicans, Klacik will be hoping to capitalize on any anti-incumbent sentiment and flip this seat.
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