Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announces resignation to focus on congressional seat
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced his resignation Tuesday as he prepares to represent Maryland's second district in Congress.
Olszewski served as the Baltimore County Executive for eight years after winning by 17 votes in 2018 and then winning re-election in 2022. He called his time in office the "honor of a lifetime."
"We transformed Baltimore County into a model of open, accountable, and accessible government. And we did all of it in partnership," Olszewski said in his announcement.
He defeated Republican Kimberly Klacik in the 2024 general election after running a campaign focused on rebuilding the Key Bridge and boosting the economy. Olszewski will succeed Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger following his retirement.
He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 at 23 years old, and served until 2014.
Olszewski's resignation will go into effect Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
It’s been an honor of a lifetime to serve as Baltimore County Executive. Thank you.
— County Executive Johnny Olszewski (@BaltCoExec) December 3, 2024
Together we truly have built a better Baltimore County.
My letter to the County Council upon my election to the United States House of Representatives: pic.twitter.com/Ciq6t0TV5K
What's Next
On Monday, Dec. 2, the Baltimore County Council named 12 candidates who could potentially replace Olszewski as interim county executive.
Four out of seven councilmembers have to approve the interim executive who will serve for the two remaining years of the term.
The council will hold a public hearing to share more information about the candidates on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
According to the council, the interim executive needs to be fiscally responsible, ready to lead 20 agencies and will not seek re-election when the term ends in 2026.