Baltimore County executive race in 2026: Who’s in, who’s out

The field of candidates vying to be the next Baltimore County executive is growing ahead of the 2026 primary election next June.

Four Democrats, two Republicans and one independent candidate have voiced their intent to run for Baltimore County’s top elected office. However, no candidate has formally filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections yet.

The race is wide open with current County Executive Kathy Klausmeier saying she will not run. The position currently pays $192,000.

The candidate filing deadline is Feb. 24. But with less than five months remaining before then, more candidates could consider runs for the position. Early voting for the primary runs from June 11 to 18, and primary election day is June 23.

Democrats

Julian Jones

Jones, a Woodstock resident and three-term Baltimore County Council member, declared his candidacy in late August. A retired Anne Arundel County firefighter, Jones is prioritizing public safety, education and boosting the county’s economy. He wants the county to become more of a hunter with economic development, envisioning the creation of teams to seek out businesses and opportunities to bring back to Baltimore County. He has described himself as a person with convictions, and his governing style is one of delegating responsibilities, trusting in others to do their jobs well and holding them accountable. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Izzy Patoka

Patoka, a resident of Pikesville serving his second term on the Baltimore County Council, launched his campaign earlier this month. A former community and city planner, Patoka’s chief goals include implementing a good government agenda, which he said includes community-focused work, business retention and support for public school teachers. If elected, Patoka plans to create a new Office of Community Conservation focused on meeting the needs of inner beltway neighborhoods and reform the existing Office of Community Engagement to seek out community meetings and help craft the county budget. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography and environmental planning from Towson University.

Nick Stewart

Stewart, a Catonsville resident, attorney and former Baltimore County Board of Education member, launched his bid for county executive in April. A co-founder of We The People, a good governance advocacy group focused on housing, smart growth and economic revitalization, Stewart’s campaign priorities echo that work — his “One County” initiative aims to assess county housing needs, make creating mixed-use communities easier, rebuild the county’s permitting process and grow the county economy. Stewart also hopes to strengthen public schools and improve public safety. He attended the University of Maryland and the George Washington University Law School.

Pat Young

Young, a Catonsville resident, is serving his first term on the Baltimore County Council. A Marine veteran who served in Iraq, Young attended Towson University and was a state delegate from 2015 to 2022, focusing on veterans’ issues and the budget. At his campaign launch in February, Young said he would govern based on “empathy, kindness and understanding.” He plans to take a “back to basics” approach to regulation and permitting processes in the county. As of Monday, Young is the only candidate for county executive who plans to use the county’s new public campaign financing system, which allows qualified candidates to receive matching public funds.

Council Chair Mike Ertel, who represents Towson, said in a text message that he would not vie for the top office, but confirmed that he would run for reelection to the council. And state Sen. Charles Sydnor, who had been considering a run for county executive last year, said in June that he would instead seek another term in the General Assembly.

Republicans

Patrick “Pat” Dyer

Dyer, a longtime Timonium resident, announced his candidacy for county executive Thursday night. The owner of a financial services business, Dyer’s priorities include tackling crime and increasing public safety resources. If elected, he plans to implement a 287(g) agreement, a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow ICE to deputize local police to act as federal immigration agents. Dyer also said he hopes to increase county revenues, make Baltimore County more business-friendly through streamlining the county’s permitting process and review all county agencies for waste, fraud and abuse. Dyer has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and a master’s from the University of Baltimore.

Kimberley “Kim” Stansbury

Stansbury, a Towson resident who runs a physical therapy company, plans to file her candidacy within the next month. Encouraged by her late husband to run for county executive in 2022, Stansbury is launching a second bid for the office. Infrastructure concerns, particularly in relation to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, are a key priority for Stansbury, along with ensuring a clean water supply and boosting public safety staffing, equipment and training. She also said she hopes to expand the county inspector general’s oversight to Baltimore County Public Schools and boost test scores. Stansbury has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Towson University.

Sen. Chris West, who represents portions of Baltimore and Carroll counties, told The Baltimore Sun in a text message that he’s “taking a hard look” at running for county executive after being approached by residents from both political parties.  “It would be a daunting effort and a serious challenge, but I think that the county where I grew up and where I have spent most of my life needs new leadership willing to think outside the box,” he wrote.

Two Republican County Council members have ruled out campaigns for the higher office. Councilman David Marks, an Upper Falls resident in his fourth term on the council, said Friday he would not run for county executive. Councilman Todd Crandell, a Dundalk resident in his third term, is also not running for the office, according to Doug Anderson, his senior council assistant.

Independent

Rob Daniels

Daniels, a Pikesville resident and career trial attorney, is the only candidate so far who will not be included in the June primary election, instead seeking a nomination by petition for the general election in November 2026. Raised on the Eastern Shore, Daniels attended the University of Baltimore and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law before starting his legal career. He’s currently an assistant attorney general with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Increasing public safety staffing and transparency, along with tightening the county’s budget and finding efficiencies in government, are among his chief priorities for his developing campaign. This isn’t Daniels’ first time vying for a public office — in 2024, he ran for a Baltimore County Circuit Court judge seat.