Twelve candidates have applied to succeed Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., who will step down in January after being elected to Congress.
The diverse group of applicants includes:
- Jim Brochin – Former state senator who narrowly lost to Olszewski in 2018
- Jon Cardin – Twice-serving House of Delegates member and nephew of Sen. Ben Cardin
- Yara Cheikh – Baltimore County Library Board president and community activist
- Gregory Dennis – Pastor with no prior elected office
- Paul Drutz-Hannahs – Comedian
- Tara Ebersole – Former biology professor and Democratic Central Committee chair
- William Huhn – Morgan Stanley financial executive
- Kathy Klausmeier – State senator since 2003
- Aris Melissaratos – Former state business development secretary
- George Perdikakis Sr. – Former transportation and environmental department leader
- Barry Williams – Former director of county recreation and workforce agencies
- Tom Quirk – Three-term county council member
A public forum on December 10 will allow residents to discuss desired qualifications for the next county executive. This is the second time since 2018 the council has needed to select an interim executive, previously happening after the unexpected death of Kevin Kamenetz.
Olszewski is leaving midway through his second term after winning election to Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District, succeeding retiring Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger.
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