Johnny Olszewski: Campaign Is 'Now A Movement' For Better BaltoCo

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Votes are still being tallied after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 6, but Democrat Johny Olszewski Jr. has claimed victory after being projected the winner of the race for county executive.

"Thank you, Baltimore County," Olszewski said in a victory speech before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

"Our campaign to build a better Baltimore County is now a movement to build a better Baltimore County," Olszewski said.

He commended his opponent, Republican Al Redmer Jr., on his service "not just to Baltimore County but to the state of Maryland."

Redmer, the Maryland Insurance Commissioner, garnered nearly 130,000 votes, according to preliminary data.

Olszewski received almost 175,000 votes, according to unofficial election returns, with 233 of 236 precincts reporting.

Multiple hotly contested races on the ballot drew voters to the polls for Election Day, including county executive, governor, county council, congress and school board, among others.

See the unofficial results here from the Maryland State Board of Elections.

These are the unofficial results as of 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 (projected winners in bold):

Maryland Governor

• Democrat: Ben Jealous
• Republican: Larry Hogan

County Executive (233 of 236 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: John "Johnny O" Olszewski Jr. - 174,406
• Republican: Al Redmer Jr. - 129,209

Council District 1 (26 of 26 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: Tom Quirk - 26,951
• Republican: Albert Nalley - 12,756

Council District 2 (35 of 35 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: Izzy Patoka - 32,046
• Republican: Michael Lee - 12,649

Council District 3 (45 of 47 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: Colleen Marie Ebacher - 21,592
• Republican: Wade Kach - 29,967

Council District 4 (31 of 32 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: Julian Jones - 40,239

Council District 5 (33 of 33 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: Alex Foley - 18,797
• Republican: David Marks - 27,187

Council District 6 (35 of 35 precicnts reporting)

• Democrat: Cathy Bevins - 21,907
• Republican: Ryan Nawrocki - 18,769

Council District 7 (28 of 28 precincts reporting)

• Democrat: Brian Weir - 12,399
• Republican: Todd Crandell - 18,516
• Libertarian: Doug Stanley - 892
• Write-In: Timothy P. Fazenbaker
• Write-In: Dave Rader

U.S. Senator

• Democrat: Ben Cardin
• Republican: Tony Campbell
• Libertarian: Arvin Vohra
• Unaffiliated: Neil Simon

Attorney General

• Democrat: Brian E. Frosh
• Republican: Craig Wolf

BALLOT QUESTIONS

All ballot measures were projected to pass, both at the state and Baltimore County level.

Two Constitutional Amendments appeared statewide, one requiring an education lockbox and another allowing same-day voter registration.

There were 15 ballot questions specific to Baltimore County, on a range of topics. One would give the county council 65 days rather than 45 days to consider bills once they are introduced. There are also ordinances authorizing the county to spend money on or borrow money for things such as land preservation and refuse disposal.

ELECTION DAY EVENTS

On Election Day 2018, Olszewski and Redmer both made appearances at polling places around Baltimore County in hopes of rallying support to become the next county executive.

By 12:30 p.m., Redmer reported he had visited polls in Middle River, Perry Hall, Cockeysville and Pikesville. He went on to Gwynn Oak, Catonsville, Arbutus and Dundalk.

More great stops this afternoon in Gwynn Oak, Catonsville, Arbutus, & Dundalk! Amazing feedback all day long — Baltimore County is fired up for a change in direction; time to get our county back on the right track! #AllinforAl #BaltCoPolitics #mdpolitics pic.twitter.com/u3ES8qenxn
— Al Redmer (@AlRedmerJr) November 6, 2018

Redmer voted early in Perry Hall.

Oszlewski started the morning by casting his ballot in Dundalk, according to The Baltimore Sun, and he also made his way across the county, from Middle River to Catonsville.

.@JohnnyOJr was the first voter to scan his ballot at Dundalk High School. pic.twitter.com/bS9kYhctei
— Pamela Wood (@pwoodreporter) November 6, 2018

No better way to refuel on #ElectionDay than with some girl scout cookies! #betterBaltimoreCounty pic.twitter.com/3iLszGgHBP
— John Olszewski, Jr. (@JohnnyOJr) November 6, 2018

Great to join @Call_Me_Dutch at Martin Blvd Elementary this afternoon as we continue to travel to polls across our county sharing our vision for a #betterBaltimoreCounty!

There's still plenty of time to #BeAVoter pic.twitter.com/9Y74QUlcXF
— John Olszewski, Jr. (@JohnnyOJr) November 6, 2018

There were long lines reported at various polls, including in Middle River, according to Fox 45.

Brave souls bear the rain to cast their ballots in Middle River while GOP #BaltimoreCountyExecutive candidate @AlRedmerJr makes a last minute push for votes. We’ll tell you where his Democratic opponent @JohnnyOJr will be visiting today live on @FOXBaltimore pic.twitter.com/BzL1j4g3nh
— StephanieFOX45 (@StephanieFox45) November 6, 2018

At Windsor Mill Middle School, The Baltimore Sun reported there was a power outage that did not stop the voting, since the polling place had a backup power source.

After 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the Maryland Board of Elections reported that voters were still casting their ballots in some polling places. Several polling places in Prince George's County ran out of ballots earlier in the day, causing long lines and delays.

"We will release the unofficial results once they have all finished voting," elections officials said of those still in line after the polls closed at 8 p.m.

Elections officials began releasing some preliminary data after 10:15 p.m.

Here is a sample of the Baltimore County ballot:

THE BASICS

• When: Polls in Maryland are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
• Where: Find your polling place here.
• What to bring:
  • If you've voted before in Maryland, you don't need to provide ID.
  • If you're a first-time voter, you may need to show one of these documents: Maryland driver's license, state or federal ID card or student, employee, or military ID; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address when you registered.
  • If you cannot provide ID, you can vote using a provisional ballot. To make your count, you must provide ID to the Baltimore County Board of Elections before 10 a.m. on Nov. 14.
• Who is who: Check out the candidate guide compiled by the League of Women Voters of Baltimore County.

Photo courtesy of Johnny Oszlewski.