With Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski set to resign on January 3 to represent Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District in the House of Representatives, the County Council has selected five finalists from a pool of 12 candidates to run for the executive position. A successor must be approved by at least four of the seven members of the County Council. The appointment will be made on Monday, January 6, for a term that will run through 2026.
Here are the candidates selected:
Jim Brochin
Jim Brochin, 64, served as a state senator from 2003 to 2019. Brochin narrowly lost to Olszewski in the 2018 Baltimore County Executive election by just 17 votes. Brochin emphasized public safety and fiscal responsibility, particularly focusing on balancing the budget without raising taxes or fees. He graduated from Pikesville High School in Baltimore, majored in political science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Katherine A. Klausmeier
Katherine Klausmeier, 74, served as a state representative from 1995 to 2003 and has been a state senator since 2003. Klausmeier emphasized her decades of experience representing Baltimore County in the Legislature, expressing her readiness to take on the role of executive. She also announced that she will not seek re-election in 2026.
George G. Perdikakis, Sr.
A native of Greece, George Perdikakis Sr. has worked as an engineer in both the private sector and local government. He has also served as the county’s director of environmental protection. Perdikakis highlighted his commitment to working collaboratively to move Baltimore County forward, drawing on his environmental background, and emphasized his readiness to make difficult decisions over the next two years.
Barry F. Williams
Barry Williams, former director of Baltimore County Recreation and Parks, emphasized the need for leaders who are visible, effective communicators, and able to remain calm in times of crisis. His experience in leadership roles is central to his vision for the county’s future.
Yara A. Cheikh
Yara A. Cheikh is a newcomer to the political scene, a community activist, and the chair of the Baltimore County Public Library Board. A mother of four, Cheikh envisions a Baltimore County where all residents can thrive. She focuses on a variety of areas to improve the quality of life, including housing, transportation, and education.