Maryland state Senator Katherine Klausmeier, a Democrat, was sworn in to the highest-ranking position in Baltimore County government Tuesday, becoming the first woman to serve as Baltimore County executive.

Klausmeier, 74, was named early Tuesday morning, and the seven-member Baltimore County Council voted unanimously to approve her nomination on Tuesday afternoon.

“I am thrilled and honored to be here, and humbled, and every other word I can think of,” Klausmeier said after reciting the oath of office.

Klausmeier grew up in Baltimore and represents Baltimore County. She served in the General Assembly for almost 30 years, including as a delegate from 1995 to 2003 and as a senator to the present day. She previously served as president pro tempore of the Senate and led the Baltimore County Senate delegation.

“My colleagues and I are very pleased to announce the selection of Senator Klausmeier as the next County Executive,” said Democrat Council Chairman Izzy Patoka in a press release. “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.”

Klausmeier replaces Johnny Olszewski, who was sworn into Congress Friday after resigning his position. She was selected from five candidates who presented before the council in December, laying out their vision on public safety, taxes, affordable housing, education and other issues.Council members all spoke favorably of Klausmeier at a packed meeting in Towson ahead of the vote.

In a nearly 10-minute speech in support of her nomination, councilman Wade Kach said Klausmeier is known as a “very hard worker” and “a person who cares.”

Following Kach’s lengthy speech, councilman Julian Jones joked: “I will second the nomination, and that’s it,” drawing laughter and applause from most of the roughly 200 attendees.

After stepping into office, Klausmeier’s most pressing responsibilities will be working out the county budget, which is submitted to the council in April, and advocating for legislative priorities at the state level.

The county executive is usually chosen through an election, but in the event of a vacancy, the county charter directs the council to take a vote. The last time a vacancy needed to be filled was in 2018, when former County Executive Kevin Kamenetz died suddenly of cardiac arrest.

Asked what the vote count was for Klausmeier, Patoka said there was no internal vote, but rather a “discussion” between members, ahead of the formal vote on Tuesday afternoon. Klausmeier was be sworn in directly after the vote.

The county charter directs that the person filling a vacancy must be of the same political party as the person they replace — in this case, the Democratic Party. Twelve people applied for the position.

“I can attest to her long record of bipartisanship,” said Republican Councilman David Marks, in the release. “It is important that we have a County Executive who commands respect and brings together people of all backgrounds and political philosophies.”

Klausmeier previously said that as county executive, she will work with police to address aggressive driving, in addition to improving sidewalks.

“I have been instrumental in leading important policies and projects for the citizens of Baltimore County, but today, I want to focus on the future and how we continue to build Baltimore County,” she told the council in December.

New county council chair

Also on Thursday, the council elected member Michael Ertel as its new chair. Ertel replaces Patoka as chair and will serve for the year of 2025.

Elected in 2022, Ertel was nominated and approved unanimously by the council members, including Patoka, who said his successor had been an “outstanding” member during his time on the council thus far.

The county chair is a separate position from county executive, as it primarily involves presiding over regularly scheduled council meetings.

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