Jewish Baltimore County Councilman Israel “Izzy” Patoka announced that he will be running for the role of Baltimore County executive in the next election cycle, aiming to bring his background in planning and executive-level experience to the position.

Patoka, who lives in Sudbrook Park, has been a county councilman since 2018 for District 2 in Baltimore County, an area that includes Pikesville.

His announcement came on Sept. 8, and he joins a field that includes multiple fellow council members trying to secure the Democratic nomination in the 2026 election.

Patoka has nearly 30 years of experience in government and has served in both Baltimore City and County government, along with serving in former Gov. Martin O’Malley’s cabinet.

“We need somebody [for county executive] that has the broad breadth of experience of working at the executive level, as I did at the state of Maryland, in the governor’s office and the mayor’s office. We need someone who understands how to do a multibillion-dollar capital budget and operating budget, and I have that experience,” Patoka said.

Patoka added that the position requires someone with budget discipline and problem-solving abilities, both skills that he said he possesses.

Read full article: Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka to Run for County Executive – Baltimore Jewish Times