Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski launches run for Congress
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski launched a campaign for Congress on Tuesday.
A Democrat in his second term as county executive, Olszewski aims to succeed U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, who is retiring.
Olszewski won his primary in 2018 for Baltimore County's executive by 17 votes. Since then, he won re-election decisively in 2022, and is now considered a top threat to fill Ruppersberger's seat.
"I'm running because I think it's time that we showed D.C. how to get things done," Olszewski said in an interview with WJZ media partner The Baltimore Banner ahead of his launch. "I'm excited about the prospect of being part of the new generation of leaders in Washington."
Olszewski released an announcement video online promising to forge compromise "without compromising our values" in Congress.
"I'm excited to share with you that I'm running for the United States Congress," Olszewski said.
Olszewski also pledged to combat right-wing politics on Capitol Hill.
"With democracy under attack and MAGA extremists threatening to take away our basic rights, it's clear that the time is now for a new generation of leadership," Olszewski's campaign website says. "As your Representative, Johnny O will protect reproductive rights and abortion access, defend our democracy and our vote, and fight to restore transparency and accountability in our government."
Olszewski lives on Millers Island, which is outside the current boundaries of the 2nd Congressional District. However, members of Congress are only required to live in the same state as their district, he told the Banner.
"I am living in, working in and supporting much of the district already," he said.
In his announcement Tuesday, Olszewski argued that "Congress is broken."
Perhaps better known by his nickname Johnny "O," the 41-year-old from Dundalk started his career in politics as a high school member of Baltimore County's school board.
Olszewski was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 at 23 years old, and served until 2014. Olszewski became Baltimore County Executive in 2018 after winning the Democratic Primary by just 17 votes, but enjoyed an easy win in 2020.
The district he is running for represents most of Carroll County, a large swath of Baltimore County, and some of Baltimore City.
Rep. Ruppersberger, 78, announced last Friday that he's opted not to run for re-election to Congress this year after serving 21 years, prompting campaigns for his seat.
Del. Harry Bhandari, a Democrat representing Baltimore County, is another politically experienced candidate. Other Democrats who have filed to run include Jessica Sjoberg and Clint Spellman Jr., both from Baltimore County.
Dave Wallace from Carroll County has registered as the lone Republican candidate.
Political scientist Mileah Kromer, from Goucher College, says Olszewski has the fundraising chops and widespread name recognition.
"When you look at this race, the county executive becomes an immediate front-runner," Kromer said.
Even after re-districting in 2022, Ruppersberger won re-election by nearly 20 points.
"The second district certainly favors Democrats," Kromer said.
In his announcement, Olszewski touted the endorsement of more than five dozen lawmakers.
"He's got a lot of good will among establishment Democrats both here among the county and statewide," Kromer said.
With the primary just months away, Ruppersberger's retirement left candidates with little time to organize.
"That is a very short runway for someone to get a campaign apparatus to run throughout the whole congressional district," Kromer said. "We've had a slew of retirements over the last couple cycles, but this is certainly a big one."
Maryland has a contested seat up for grabs this cycle in the U.S. Senate, as longtime Senator Ben Cardin also announced his retirement.
Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is squaring off with congressman David Trone, creating an open seat in his district.
And in the third district, Congressman John Sarbanes announced in October that he would not seek re-election.