The Baltimore County Council has settled on state Senator Katherine A. Klausmeier to be interim county executive, making the Council vote later today among five finalists a mere formality, multiple sources tell The Brew.

One of the longest serving legislators in Annapolis, Klausmeier was considered the favorite of Johnny Olszewski to fill out the remainder of his term.

UPDATE 1: This morning Council Chair Izzy Patoka issued a press release saying “my colleagues and I are very pleased to announce the selection of Senator Klausmeier as the next county executive. Kathy’s experience in state government, her reputation as a problem solver who listens to constituents, and her leadership in the General Assembly bring qualities that will be needed for Baltimore County residents for the next two years and beyond.”

UPDATE 2: Klausmeier was sworn in today as county executive following a unanimous vote. Mike Ertel (D, 6th) was voted Council chair for year 2025.

Olszewski resigned as county executive last Friday, shortly before he was sworn in as Maryland’s new 2nd District congressman.

His departure leaves two years remaining in his second term, and three current Councilmen – Julian Jones, Izzy Patoka and Pat Young – who have announced plans to run for county executive in the 2026 election.

Such political calculations left the Council with a consensus view that a “placeholder CE” was the most expedient way to handle the Olszewski succession.

“Kathy isn’t going to rock the boat,” said a source. “It was Klausmeier before they even announced the selection process.”

Her campaign phone number is out of service, and she did not respond to an email request for comment.

The Council is scheduled to vote on the next county executive as the final agenda item of today’s 3 p.m. meeting.

According to today’s press release, Klausmeier will be sworn in immediately after the meeting.

Carefully Controlled Process

Last December, the Council announced 12 candidates who applied for the job, then narrowed the field to five finalists, all of whom pledged they would not seek a full term after serving two years.

In addition to Klausmeier, the finalists are former state Senator Jim Brochin, former county parks director Barry F. Williams, former environmental protection official George G. Perdikakis Sr., and community activist Yara Cheikh.

• Why the not-so-public process to name Johnny Olszewski’s successor? (12/2/24)

All five candidates are Democrats, in keeping with Olszewski’s party affiliation.

Although three of the Council’s seven members are Republicans, none put forth his own candidate and all three were reconciled with Klausmeier’s ascendance to the county’s top elected position, according to two sources who asked not to be identified.

The unsuccessful candidates were notified of the Council’s decision, the sources said, but were asked to keep the results in confidence before today’s meeting.

The Brew could not reach those candidates today.

30 Years in General Assembly

Klausmeier’s selection would result in the first female Baltimore County executive since the position was established in 1956.  She will turn 75 next month.

The Perry Hall resident has represented District 8 in the General Assembly for 30 years – first as a delegate (1995-2003) and then as a senator (2003-present).

Her appointment would require her to step down from the Senate a day before the General Assembly begins its 2025 session and would require a last minute fill-in of her Senate seat.

During the 2018 governor’s race, Klausmeier refused to support Democratic candidate Ben Jealous and was seen distributing campaign literature for Republican candidate Larry Hogan.

She was the only Democrat in the Senate to opposed paid family leave and was one of four Senate Democrats who voted to sustain Governor Hogan’s veto of a bill to restore voting rights for felons who were released from prison.

A former coordinator in the pediatrics department of St. Joseph Medical Center, she began public service as president of the PTA for Gunpowder Elementary School. She currently serves as the vice chair of the Finance Committee in the Senate.

Her latest campaign report shows that she received contributions from a number of healthcare organizations, including UnitedHealth Group ($2,000), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ($1,000), Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists ($1,000) and CVS Pharmacy ($1,500).

Her committee also received a $500 contribution from Friends of John Olszewski Jr.