Meet County Executive Candidate Nick Stewart

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Ahead of the primary elections in June, Patch has invited candidates running to represent Baltimore County to complete a questionnaire touching on a variety of key issues.

Candidate responses will be published verbatim in the run-up to the primaries on Tuesday, June 23.

Related: Who's Running For Perry Hall In The 2026 Primary?

Questionnaire responses for Nick Stewart, who is running to serve as county executive, can be found below:

Name: Nick Stewart

Age: 42

Hometown: Timonium, MD

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office.

I worked for Martin O’Malley during his time as Mayor of Baltimore and Governor of Maryland and served as a law clerk to Judge Glenn T. Harrell, Jr. of the Maryland Supreme Court. I also served on the Baltimore County School Board for nearly four years, including as Vice Chair, and spent eight years on the County’s Workforce Development Board.

I’m a current board member for the Southwest Visions Foundation, a community development organization, and for Maryland Inclusive Housing’s local housing committee.

In 2021, I co-founded We The People - Baltimore County, an advocacy group fighting for housing, revitalization and government transparency. I’ve served inside and outside local government but am not wed to the way it’s always been.

Through these experiences, and the hundreds of individual sit-downs I’ve had in the last 18 months, we’ve built the most comprehensive plan for the County’s future of any campaign in this race. Together, we make our One County more affordable, inclusive and modern, for everybody.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?

It’s two issues: Affordability and trust. Because we’ve become too unaffordable, we’re now the fastest-shrinking county in the state, losing population for the first time in 100 years.

The primary driver of this unaffordability is the cost of housing. It’s never been harder to buy a home based on income and we’re the second-worst county in which to rent. As noted above, we’ve developed the most comprehensive plan to reform housing and revitalization in the County’s history.

This isn’t about developing open space; it’s about doing the hard work of revitalization where there’s infrastructure already in place. In addition, we’ll create true universal pre-K to help with skyrocketing childcare costs and an Office of Childhood Hunger to finally address the more than 33,000 children in Baltimore County Public Schools who are living in extreme poverty.

We’ll create a new jobs department so we can stop job loss and improve wages (incomes have fallen five years in a row in the County). We’ll further demand a BGE rate freeze and begin creating a public power option (we pay the highest energy rates in the nation). And we’ll institute a 25% property tax credit so that seniors can actually afford to retire in the communities they helped build. It’s what Howard County is doing, and it’s a moral imperative.

On trust, none of these plans are possible unless we have a baseline level of trust between our people and their government. This trust has been broken many times in just the last two years, but there’s no greater breach than with the pension scandal.

It’s simply unconscionable for the County Council, including every member now running for County Executive, to have doubled their pensions before leaving office.

I’m proud to have led the charge to force the Council to repeal this golden parachute. But the most shocking thing is that it didn’t deeply shock all of the County — we’ve grown too accustomed to this level of self-dealing. It’s time to turn a page.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

What makes me different is that I’m not part of the County Council culture that has frustrated so many residents over the last several years. I’m the only Democratic candidate in this race who is not coming directly from the Council, and the only who has served in the school board and has experience managing large budgets.

I am the only democratic candidate with deep private-sector experience helping businesses grow, create jobs and solve complex problems outside government. Mostly importantly, I am the only candidate that has a comprehensive plan to make the County more affordable, more modern and more inclusive. I’ve spent my career both inside and outside public service, which means I understand how government works, but I’m not tied to the idea that this is how it has to stay.

I also believe Baltimore County needs government that can bring people together around practical solutions. That’s why this campaign has earned support from groups that do not always agree politically.

I’m proud to be endorsed by both the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police and the Baltimore County Progressive Democratic Club. That says something important about the kind of leadership I want to bring. People may come from different perspectives, but most still want the same basic things: safe communities, affordable housing, good schools, honest government, and a county where their kids can afford to stay.

At the end of the day, this campaign is about building One County that works for everybody. It is about taking this moment of crisis and turning it into a movement for change.

I am more hopeful today because we have a plan and everything we need in each other to make this County more affordable, more modern and more inclusive.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?

My work experience has prepared me to lead Baltimore County at a moment when we need both reform and results. I’ve worked in law, education, government, and community advocacy, and each of those experiences shaped how I approach the County’s challenges.

As a business attorney, I helped companies grow, solve problems and navigate complex systems. That taught me government must move faster, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and create an environment where families and businesses can succeed. As Vice Chair of the Baltimore County School Board, I managed large budgets, oversaw major construction projects, and worked through public policy decisions affecting families every day. That experience also showed me how closely housing, transportation, poverty, and public safety are tied to educational outcomes.

I’ve also spent years working with workforce development initiatives and community organizations across the County. Through that work, and through conversations with residents over the last two years, I’ve seen how disconnected government can feel from the people it serves.

What ties all of this together is that I’ve spent my career solving problems across different systems, not just operating inside one political silo. Baltimore County’s challenges are interconnected, and I believe my background has prepared me to bring people together around practical solutions that actually move the County forward.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current officeholder, and how will you improve on it? If you're running for reelection, please explain the lessons of your previous term and how they would impact your next term.

The current administration has made a number of decisions that have hurt Baltimore County, from doubling County Council pensions to undermining the Inspector General and drawing councilmanic maps behind closed doors. But one of the most damaging decisions was passing the County’s partial housing ban.

Montgomery County abandoned a similar policy because it killed investment, worsened inequality and failed to solve school overcrowding. Baltimore County took that failed idea and made it law instead of fixing our broken impact fee system and actually investing in school capacity. The result will be fewer homes, higher rents, higher home prices and even larger property tax assessments.

We are already the fastest-shrinking county in Maryland because too many families can no longer afford to live here.

I reject the politics of scarcity that says the solution is simply blocking growth. Baltimore County takes far too long to build housing, schools and infrastructure, and we have created many of these problems ourselves through outdated systems and “pay to play” politics. My administration will overturn the housing ban, reform permitting from the ground up, challenge councilmanic courtesy and require development decisions to align with community-led plans.

We need to build more housing, modernize schools, revitalize town centers, and create a County where young families, workers, and seniors can afford to stay and thrive.

How do you believe Baltimore County should address data centers?

My position is that Baltimore County should approach data center development carefully and with clear standards that put communities first.

Data centers are not inherently a bad technology. Advanced computing and innovation are important to the future economy.

The challenge is that large server facilities consume enormous amounts of energy and water, occupy significant land and typically produce relatively few long-term jobs compared to their footprint.

Without clear rules, they can crowd out more productive land uses and place real burdens on surrounding communities.

Do you believe there should be a data center moratorium or a temporary pause? Explain.

I support a temporary pause on new data center approvals until Baltimore County establishes clear regulations that protect communities, address infrastructure and environmental impacts, and ensure these projects are developed responsibly and sustainably.

Do you believe there should be data center regulations put in place? Explain.

Yes I believe Baltimore County needs clear regulations for data centers because these projects can place major demands on land, energy, water, and surrounding communities. We should prioritize redevelopment that creates housing, mixed-use communities, and long-term jobs, not just large facilities with limited local benefit.

If data centers are approved, they should meet strict environmental, infrastructure, and siting standards and be responsible for their own energy demands instead of shifting costs onto residents. Innovation matters, but growth must be planned responsibly and aligned with the County’s long-term economic goals.

What steps would you take to offset data center impacts to residents’ standard of living, such as rising energy prices?

Data centers can bring economic opportunity, but they must be planned responsibly with residents first. I do not support a model where working families face higher utility costs or quality-of-life impacts so corporations can maximize profits without accountability.

That means requiring sustainable energy sourcing, careful site selection away from major population centers when possible and protections against strain on infrastructure and neighborhoods. We also need to confront rising energy costs by fighting unjustified BGE rate hikes, demanding public hearings and transparency, and supporting investigations into BGE’s pricing practices.

Long term, I support exploring structural reforms like a public power option to create more competition and accountability in energy delivery. If large-scale energy users are coming into our communities, residents deserve confidence that the benefits will be shared and the costs will not fall on working families and seniors.

How would you distinguish between a good vs. bad data center? Or do you believe no data centers should be in the county/district?

I do not believe data centers are inherently bad, nor do I believe Baltimore County should categorically ban them. The real question is whether they are planned responsibly and provide enough long-term value to justify their impacts.

A good data center is properly sited away from residential communities, minimizes strain on energy and water infrastructure, and fully accounts for its environmental footprint, including supporting its own energy demands through clean energy procurement.

A bad data center is one that creates quality-of-life concerns, strains infrastructure, consumes valuable land, and provides little long-term economic return. Ultimately, this is a land use issue. Baltimore County has limited land, and in many cases our commercial corridors are better suited for housing, mixed-use redevelopment, and industries that create stronger long-term community growth and opportunity.

Innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of residents, climate goals, or the County’s long-term future.

Gov. Wes Moore signed bills banning agreements between local police and federal immigration officials in February. What is your opinion of the legislation?

I support the legislation because I do not believe local law enforcement should function as an arm of federal immigration enforcement. One of my first actions as County Executive would be terminating Baltimore County’s agreement with ICE so local police can focus on public safety and building trust with the communities they serve.

I was disappointed the County Council’s recent legislation did not directly end the ICE agreement. When immigrant families are afraid to report crimes or engage with local government, public safety and community trust both suffer.

Baltimore County’s immigrant communities contribute enormously to our economy, culture, and civic life, which is why I will establish a fully staffed Office of Immigrant Affairs to connect residents with services, legal resources, and community support.

As an attorney, I also understand local governments sometimes have a responsibility to defend the constitutional rights and dignity of their residents, and I am prepared to do that when necessary.

What steps would you take to support or readjust that initiative?

I would terminate the County’s ICE agreement and ensure County policies are aligned with state law and constitutional protections so residents understand their rights and agencies understand their responsibilities. I would also establish a fully staffed Office of Immigrant Affairs to connect residents with legal assistance, language access services, workforce resources, and community support while improving communication between immigrant communities and County government.

Public safety depends on people feeling safe enough to report crimes and engage with local government without fear. As an attorney, I also believe local government has a responsibility to defend the constitutional rights and dignity of its residents when necessary.

What is your stance on the establishment of ICE centers in the county and/or your district?

I do not support the expansion of ICE administrative or enforcement facilities in Baltimore County. Our County should be a place where families feel safe reporting crimes, participating in their communities, and engaging with local government without fear or intimidation.

While I supported efforts to establish an Office of Immigrant Affairs and clarify interactions between County agencies and ICE, I do not believe those measures went far enough because they did not prevent new ICE-related facilities from being established.

My concern is not political. It is about public trust, community safety, and economic stability. As County Executive, I would support stronger transparency and oversight measures, including public notice and hearings before ICE facilities are approved and limits on County resources being used for civil immigration enforcement.

We can support lawful public safety efforts while still defending the dignity and constitutional rights of the people who live here.

What actionable plans would you undertake to address illegal immigration?

My responsibility as County Executive would be to uphold the law while protecting the constitutional rights and dignity of every resident. I do not believe local government should engage in fear-driven immigration enforcement that undermines trust between communities and public institutions. That is why I would terminate the County’s ICE agreement and ensure County resources are not used for unlawful or unconstitutional federal actions.

At the same time, we need a serious approach to supporting immigrant communities through a fully staffed Office of Immigrant Affairs that improves language access, connects residents with legal and workforce resources, and helps families navigate government services.

Public safety works best when people feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with law enforcement without fear. As an attorney and former litigator, I also understand local governments sometimes have a responsibility to challenge unconstitutional actions in court, and I am prepared to do that when necessary.

Education: What is the biggest issue facing Baltimore County Public Schools? How would you address it?

The biggest issue facing Baltimore County Public Schools is that too many students are being asked to overcome enormous challenges from childhood poverty and hunger to overcrowded schools, teacher burnout, and unequal access to early learning opportunities. These problems are connected, and we need to address them together.

First, we need to expand access to high-quality early childhood education, including universal pre-K, because students who start behind often stay behind. Second, we must support and retain great educators through better pay, stronger working conditions, and less unnecessary bureaucracy. Third, we need to continue expanding community schools and modernizing facilities. Schools should provide wraparound services like food assistance, health care, counseling, and after-school programs that support both students and families.

That is one reason I am proposing an Office of Childhood Hunger because no child should be expected to learn while hungry.

We also need to address overcrowding the right way by investing in school construction and actually collecting impact fees instead of letting developers avoid them. Strong schools require strong communities.

If we start early, support educators, and build schools that truly serve families, we can give every child in Baltimore County a real chance to succeed.

A student brings a gun/weapon to campus without setting off any red flags. What security measures would you advocate for to prevent such an incident?

There is no single technology or policy that can completely eliminate the risk of a weapon entering a school. School safety requires layered systems, strong training, responsible gun safety policies, and a culture where students feel supported enough to speak up before a crisis develops.

I support modern safety technology like Omnilert and other real-time emergency response tools when implemented ethically, transparently, and with proper oversight. But technology alone is not enough. We also need regular training, clear emergency protocols, strong coordination between administrators and School Resource Officers and ongoing reviews so schools are constantly improving preparedness.

Prevention matters too. That means investing in counselors, mental health resources and community schools that help students feel connected and supported. As a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate, I also support commonsense gun violence prevention policies that help keep weapons out of dangerous hands.

Ultimately, school safety is about combining prevention, preparation, accountability, and trust so students can focus on learning in a safe environment.

Do you believe schools need stricter security measures? Metal detectors? Explain.

I believe schools need smart and effective security measures, but they must be balanced with the safe and supportive learning environment students deserve. Technology can absolutely help save lives when implemented ethically, transparently and with strong oversight. That includes modern alert systems, controlled access points, clear emergency protocols and regular staff training to ensure procedures are followed consistently.

As for metal detectors, I do not believe there is a one-size-fits-all answer. Some schools or events may require targeted screening based on credible threats, but we should also be careful not to create environments where students feel like they are entering a prison instead of a school.

The best approach is layered security: combining appropriate technology, trained staff, strong relationships with School Resource Officers, mental health support, counseling and systems that encourage students to report concerns before situations escalate.

In many cases, warning signs exist before a crisis occurs, and we need systems capable of recognizing and responding to them early. Ultimately, technology should work for people, not against them.

Safety tools are important, but they must exist within a school culture that students, families, and educators trust.

What will you do to encourage affordable/public housing in the county?

Affordable housing has to be one of Baltimore County’s top priorities because it will determine whether our kids and grandkids can afford to call this County home. I co-founded We The People – Baltimore County specifically to fight for housing, revitalization, and transparency because I saw how badly the County was falling behind on affordability and smart growth.

When people hear “affordable housing,” they often think only about subsidized housing. We certainly need proven tools like inclusionary zoning and mixed-income development, but what Baltimore County really needs is housing that is simply more affordable overall.

That includes building the “missing middle” — duplexes, townhomes, walk-up apartments, accessory dwelling units, and starter homes that working families, young professionals, teachers, first responders, and seniors can actually afford.

Our One County Initiative specifically calls for creating more $200,000 starter homes so first-time buyers are not completely priced out of the market.

My approach starts with overturning the County’s partial housing ban, reforming councilmanic courtesy, modernizing permitting, and encouraging redevelopment in aging commercial corridors and near transit instead of sprawling into open space.

We also need to revitalize older communities like Dundalk, Essex, Lansdowne, and Randallstown through reinvestment, mixed-use development, and stronger community development partnerships.

If we increase housing supply through smarter planning and community-led growth, we can lower costs, expand opportunity, and make Baltimore County a place where people can afford to stay and build a future.

How will you address crime in the county/your district?

I’m a Democrat who believes public safety is one of the core pillars of a successful community alongside public education and infrastructure. I’ve worked in Baltimore City, prosecuted criminal cases in Prince George’s County, and my wife works in ATF’s Baltimore field office. I’ve seen firsthand that when people do not feel safe, it becomes much harder to attract families, businesses, and investment. That’s why we built the most comprehensive public safety plan in this race and why I’m proud to be the endorsed candidate of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police.

Our plan starts with recruiting and retaining 500-600 additional officers so we can restore real community policing and proactive patrols. We’ll support officers with competitive pay, take-home vehicles, property tax incentives and modern technology while implementing a modern CrimeStat system to improve transparency and coordination.

We’ll also focus aggressively on repeat violent offenders, strengthen regional intelligence sharing, and invest in intervention programs like Roca and the UMBC Choice Program to help steer at-risk youth away from crime before they enter the justice system.

The county has seen a spike in incidents involving teen brawls. What steps would you take to curb incidents?

The recent spike in teen brawls is a serious public safety issue, but it is also a warning sign that too many young people feel disconnected and unsupported. We need both accountability and prevention.

In places like Towson, that means stronger police presence, better coordination with Towson Town Center, expanded use of CCTV and car tag tracking technology and a dedicated police substation at the mall. We also need stronger coordination between police, schools, prosecutors and community partners to focus on repeat offenders driving much of the disruptive behavior.

As the endorsed candidate of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police, I’ll continue working closely with law enforcement on these quality-of-life concerns residents increasingly feel are being ignored.

But enforcement alone is not enough. We also need to invest in young people before they enter the justice system through programs like Roca and the UMBC Choice Program, stronger community schools, counseling, mentorship, summer jobs, and after-school opportunities.

Public safety works best when families, schools, businesses, community organizations, and law enforcement are all working together to create safer spaces and better opportunities for young people.

What role does the county play in clamping down on the fights, or what's become known as "teen takeovers"?

“Teen takeovers” are public safety issues, but they are also connected to youth engagement, schools, family support and how we manage public spaces. As the only candidate endorsed by the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police, I’ll continue working closely with law enforcement on these incidents and other quality-of-life concerns residents feel are being ignored.

First, we need stronger staffing, coordination and technology to prevent situations from escalating. That means more visible patrols in hotspot areas, better coordination across agencies and tools like CCTV cameras, car tag readers and CrimeStat to identify patterns and intervene proactively.

In Towson, that also means stronger partnerships with Towson Town Center, a police substation at the mall and increased police presence during peak hours. But enforcement alone is not enough.

We also need to invest in young people before they enter the justice system through after-school programs, mentorship, summer jobs, counseling, community schools, and intervention programs like Roca and the UMBC Choice Program. Public safety works best when communities trust that government is present, responsive, and willing to act before problems spiral out of control.