Johnny Olszewski resigns as Baltimore County executive with focus on Congress seat

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski shared a copy of his resignation letter on social media as he prepares to represent Maryland's second district in Congress.

Olszewski, who served eight years as the Baltimore County Executive, called his time in office as the "honor of a lifetime."

His resignation will go into effect Friday, January 3.     

Olszewski's resignation comes after he was elected to represent Maryland's second congressional district.

"Exactly six years ago today, I was honored to first take the oath of office to serve as our fourteenth County Executive - enabled by the trust that the people of Baltimore County placed in me. To this day, I remain deeply thankful to all our residents for this incredible privilege," the letter reads. 

The Baltimore County Council is reviewing applications for 12 candidates, who are vying for the Baltimore County Executive position. 

During his campaign, Olszewski vowed to combat threats to democracy and right-wing politics. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 at 23 years old, and served until 2014.