REPLACING:

Dutch Ruppersberger (D)

WORK HISTORY:

Baltimore County (Baltimore County Executive); SAS (Senior Account Executive); City of Baltimore (Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs); Maryland General Assembly (State Representative); Baltimore County Public Schools (Resource Teacher, Teacher); George Washington University (Lecturer); Goucher College (Adjunct Faculty); Comcast Cable (Government and Community Relations Intern)[i]

EDUCATION:

PhD, University of Maryland Baltimore County; MA, George Washington University; BA, Goucher College[ii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Defending Democracy; Preserving the Environment; Reproductive Freedom; Transparency and Accountability; Common Sense Gun Safety; Strengthening the Middle Class; Technology and Innovation; Voting Rights[iii]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

On his campaign website, Olszewski pledges to oppose any efforts from those seeking to ban access to abortion, birth control, or the right to choose. He argues “Legislators should never stand between women and their healthcare,” and supports codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade.[iv] [v]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Olszewski has said he would support a bipartisan immigration bill, arguing, “We should secure our border, but we also can do so in a way to provide other resources, so people who have been here their entire lives or seek to come here legally and want to create a family and a life for themselves, that we provide the processes to do that efficiently and effectively.”[vi] As Baltimore County Executive, Olszewski issued an executive order in 2023 establishing a tax force to guide the local government in building and maintaining positive relationships with new members of the immigrant community.[vii]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Arguing that a “thriving middle class is the backbone of our economy,” Olszewski has pledged to push for fair wages, expanding access to vocational training, and protecting workers’ rights.[viii] He also supports embracing blockchain and cryptocurrency, including by updating securities legislation, and campaigned on rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.[ix]

TAXES:

For years, Olszewski has touted his record of “fighting for lower taxes.”[x] However, his 2019 budget proposal included Baltimore’s first income tax hike since 1992.[xi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Olszewski has pledged to invest in local law enforcement, arguing, “We know that supporting law enforcement is important, so sustained federal investment for law enforcement and their work. The people and the technology, but also the wrap around services.”[xii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Olszewski advocates for “bold, science-based solutions to reduce carbon emissions,” investing in renewable energy, and safeguarding natural landscapes.[xiii] He has also said “more [local] energy production,” can help address the cost of living.[xiv]

FOREIGN POLICY:

In April 2024, Olszewski praised Congress for passing an aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other allies.[xv] According to Jewish Insider, he ran as a “pro-Israel moderate,” who told the outlet, “Israel is one of our most critical allies in what remains a very dangerous and unstable part of the world […] It’s so important that we continue to support and stand with Israel, that we acknowledge its right to exist and its right to defend itself.”[xvi]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Olszewski has said his experience will make him a congressman “who understands how policies about healthcare, housing and everything in between affect the residents we serve now.”[xvii] He has said that it is “unconscionable” that families “have to choose between paying for their medicine and paying for groceries, gas, or any other necessity.”[xviii] He was endorsed by the Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans, which wrote that Marylanders can trust Olszewski “to protect Social Security and Medicare.”[xix]

DEMOCRACY:

Olszewski highlighted defending democracy on his campaign platform, pledging to “stand up” to insurrectionists at the Capitol and to “extremists taking away voting rights.” He also advocated for “meaningful lobbying reforms” that will “restore trust in our public institutions.”[xx]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

While serving in the Maryland General Assembly, in 2012, Olszewski voted “yes” on Maryland’s Civil Marriage Protection Act after years of opposition to gay marriage.[xxi]