Julian Jones Becomes Baltimore County's First Black County Executive

Julian Jones Becomes Baltimore County’s First Black County Executive

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Julian Jones Secures Baltimore County Executive Race

Julian Jones made history Tuesday night when voters elected him Baltimore County’s first Black county executive.

As he claimed his win over Republican Patrick Dyer, Jones told the crowd that yes, they have made history together but now it’s time to get to work. He promised to make Baltimore County government serve its residents, highlighting an encounter with an Owings Mills resident burdened by an overwhelming sewer bill who told him she could not sleep at night because every effort to reach out for help from the county government had been met with indifference. Jones promised he won’t stop fighting for county residents, whether they voted for him or not.

Jones told his supporters at his victory party in Towson that he won’t stop fighting until the final bell rings and until the fat lady sings. He also took aim at President Trump, stating he will fight for local schools and services when funding is threatened, and stand up for families when livelihoods face pressure.

Julian Jones declares victory in Baltimore County

Parents Inspired Lifelong Commitment to Community Service

Reflecting on his late parents, Jones offered a touching account of the ways they demonstrated the value of public service through their own actions. Working as an educator, his mother assisted neighbors who lacked reading and writing skills by filling out their checks so they could settle their bills. His father worked at Bethlehem Steel for 42 years and would go out of his way to pick up coworkers who didn’t have cars, knowing other families were counting on those paychecks just as much.

Kevin Mooring, a volunteer for Jones’ campaign, expressed belief that the county executive-elect will give the county new life, noting a desire for better roads, public safety, and tax relief while acknowledging fiscal realities. Jones defeated Dyer with more than 62 percent of the vote. A Republican has not won a race for Baltimore County Executive since 1990.

Julian Jones Becomes Baltimore County's First Black County Executive

Having completed 12 years of service on the county council, Jones secured the Democratic nomination during a competitive five-way June primary that featured fellow council members Izzy Patoka and Pat Young, attorney Nick Stewart, and Marine Corps veteran Mansoor Shams. Jones and Patoka had been positioning themselves for years, each raising north of $1 million and spending the closing days before the primary attacking each other. Jones won the primary with 38 percent of the vote, with Patoka eight points behind.

During the primary, Jones made commitments to build 15 new schools, provide a job for every young person who wants one, and build two year-round aquatic centers. Those proposals carry a multi-billion-dollar price tag, which Jones said he will pay for by growing the county’s economy. Jones will be sworn in as county executive early next month, replacing Kathy Klausmeier.

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