Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Monday ruled out a run for the United States Senate in 2024. Instead, he threw his support behind the candidacy of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
In endorsing Alsobrooks at a news conference in Randallstown, Olszewski said Washington needs a new generation of leadership.
Olszewski said, “When we elect Angela to be our next senator, Maryland will once again have a woman representing our state in Congress, and the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the United States Senate.”
Olszewski had been mulling the race since three term incumbent Ben Cardin announced May 1 that he would not seek reelection. Since then several Democrats, including Alsobrooks and U.S. Rep. David Trone, have announced they are seeking the party’s nomination.
Olszewski admitted it would have been a tough race. Alsobrooks has already gained endorsements from among others, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman.
“These are hard races, but I know we’ve got someone who is a fighter, who has fought for Prince George’s County and who I am very confident will fight not just for Baltimore County but the entire region and state,” Olszewski said.
Cardin lives in Baltimore County. Even though Alsobrooks lives in the D.C. suburbs, Olszewski said he has been filling her in on the issues in the Baltimore region.
Olszewski said, “Angela’s had an open line of communication with me for these past five years.”
“I believe in my heart that every family wants to make sure that their child has a first-rate education,” Alsobrooks said. “They want to feel that their child is treated fairly when they go to apply for jobs. They want to ensure that the economy is growing in such a way that their children will have opportunities that maybe they didn’t have.”
This makes the second statewide race that Olszewski has backed away from since becoming Baltimore County Executive in 2018. He considered running for governor in 2022 but decided not to join a crowded field of candidates.
Observers believe Olszewski has his eye on Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger’s seat, should the veteran congressman retire.
When asked about that Monday, Olszewski demurred.
“Today is about Angela Alsobrooks and the United States Senate,” Olszewski said.
Jaime Lennon, a spokeswoman for Ruppersberger said in a statement, “He has made no decisions about 2024. He is focused on the job he was elected to do just six months ago.”
