Baltimore County Council Interviews Executive Candidates

The Baltimore County Council is in the process of selecting a new Executive to replace Johnny Olszewski, who will resign on January 3, 2025, to take a Congressional seat. Five candidates—Barry Williams, Yara Cheikh, Jim Brochin, Katherine Klausmeier, and George Perdikakis—presented their visions on critical issues such as public safety, education, and budget management during 15-minute speeches. Williams emphasized the need for wrap-around services to combat juvenile crime and the importance of addressing fiscal challenges, while Brochin proposed maintaining public safety funding without tax increases. Cheikh advocated for transparency in school budgeting, and Klausmeier highlighted infrastructure improvements and public safety as priorities. The council plans to make a decision by early January 2025, with the interim period managed by County Administrative Officer D'andrea Walker if no candidate secures the required votes. The candidates faced a competitive selection process, narrowing from an initial pool of 12 applicants.