Johnny Olszewski headed to Congress after serving as Baltimore County executive
BALTIMORE -- Johnny Olszewski, the Baltimore County executive, is taking his leadership to the nation's capital after knocking off Kimberly Klacik in Maryland's second congressional district race.
The Democrat from Dundalk thanked his supporters after securing the victory Tuesday night. he doesn't plan to leave his Baltimore County position until January when he starts in Congress.
"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude," Olszewski said. "I want to thank the voters of Maryland's second congressional for believing in me and trusting in me and for giving me their vote to help win this congressional race."
Olszewski will replace Dutch Ruppersberger, who has held the seat since 2003, but decided not to run for reelection.
Olszewski said his background as a school teacher, state delegate and county executive has prepared him for this role.
"I take all of those experiences with me," Olszewski said. "Having a teacher in the United States Congress is a good thing. Having a county executive, somebody who served at the local level, who understands how policies about healthcare, housing and everything in between, affect the residents we serve now, will make me a better congressman."
Olszewski is backed by Ruppersberger.
"We feel good," Olszewski said on Election Day. "The response has been overwhelming but I'm a firm believer in taking no vote or no person for granted, running to the very end, so we're hopeful the results are reflective of that work."
Olszewski's campaign focuses on rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed on March 26, boosting the economy with employment opportunities, education, public safety and reproductive rights.
"I believe that women should have access and families should have access to IVF if they want to start a family," Olszewski said. "Together, we can shape a future of promise for everyone."
Other congressional winners
Republican Rep. Andy Harris won reelection for Maryland's first district in a landslide victory, defeating Democratic candidate Blane Miller, with a campaign focused heavily on agriculture.
"Obviously, sharing the agricultural sub-committee is very important for the first congressional district, which a lot of Northern, Eastern and even Southern Maryland depends on the agriculture economy," Harris said.
Harris, representing the Eastern Shore, Cecil and Harford counties, and parts of Baltimore County, is the only Republican in the state's congressional delegation.
Miller told WJZ over the phone Wednesday that he accepts the results of the election.
"The people have spoken and I respect that," Miller said. "We knew we had an uphill battle."
Democratic Sara Elfreth beat out Robert Steinberger in Maryland's 3rd district to fill retiring congressman John Sarbanes' seat.
A handful of Maryland congressmen kept their seats, including District 5's Steny Hoyer, who is the longest-serving House member ever from Maryland.
The race for District 6's House seat between April Delaney and Neil Parrot has yet to be called.
