Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka Files for County Executive Race as 2026 Field Expands

Patoka’s filing formalizes a bid announced last fall

Baltimore County Councilman Israel “Izzy” Patoka has filed to run for Baltimore County executive, adding a sitting council member to a growing contest for the top job in one of Maryland’s largest local governments.

The 2026 election will select a county executive for a four-year term, following an interim administration that began after former County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. left the office to take a seat in Congress. State Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier was sworn in as Baltimore County’s 15th county executive on Jan. 7, 2025, to serve the remainder of the term.

Why the office is open in 2026

Baltimore County’s next county executive will take office after the 2026 general election, scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. The primary election is set for June 23, 2026, with early voting planned for June 11–18, 2026.

Klausmeier previously stated she would not seek election to a full term in 2026, setting the stage for a competitive primary season and a wider general-election field.

Patoka’s background and current role

Patoka represents the County Council’s District 2 and has served on the council since December 2018. He previously held senior roles in state government, including executive director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (2007–2015) and positions in the governor’s intergovernmental affairs operation. He has also worked in local government planning and community development roles.

Within county government, Patoka has been publicly identified as chair of the County Council during the current term cycle and has been involved in major legislative and budget deliberations, including matters related to council structure, land use, and environmental policy.

How Patoka fits into the current candidate field

Patoka joins a Democratic field that includes other local and county figures who have publicly moved toward the 2026 ballot. The broader contest has drawn attention because multiple candidates currently hold county-level roles or have built profiles through county policy debates.

• Election timeline: Primary Election Day is June 23, 2026; General Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.

• Transition stakes: The winner will inherit responsibilities that span county agencies, the county budget, and long-running debates over growth, zoning, infrastructure, schools, and public safety.

The 2026 cycle is expected to focus heavily on fiscal planning, land-use choices, and how county government delivers services amid changing community needs.

Patoka’s filing ensures his campaign will proceed under the formal requirements for ballot access and election administration as the county approaches the June 2026 primary.