Republican Kenneth C. Holt, a Kingsville farmer and financial adviser who served one term in the House of Delegates, will officially file his candidacy for Baltimore County executive on Tuesday.
Holt, 58, said he hopes to benefit from a burgeoning anti-incumbency sentiment.
"People basically want a change in leadership," Holt said. "This is not necessarily a Republican thing. They just want new candidates with fresh ideas and backgrounds that qualify them for office."
Holt said he does not expect any opponents in the Republican primary. County Councilmen Joseph Bartenfelder and Kevin Kamenetz are vying for the Democratic nomination. The victor in November replaces the term-limited Democrat James T. Smith Jr.
"Voters will judge us on what we can do and the experience we have," Bartenfelder said.
Kamenetz said only an experienced leader can handle the tough economic climate.
"This is not the time to elect someone who has to have on-the-job training," Kamenetz said. "I can present the balance of vision and experience we need to move forward in these difficult times."
Holt, who said he will file with the Baltimore County Board of Elections on Tuesday, said he can offer voters a change from the 16 years of Democratic leadership.
" Republicans have been on the sidelines in Baltimore County for too long," Holt said. "There is now a strong group coming forward for county offices and giving voters a lot of choices."
Holt has taken a leave from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Baltimore, where he has worked for 25 years, most recently as senior portfolio manager. His campaign is motivated by a lifelong sense of volunteerism and the current state of the economy, he said. At community meetings and political forums, he has heard repeatedly from residents concerned about the slow recovery from the recession and continued high unemployment, he said.
"There is a high level of anxiety about the economy, jobs and the daunting state budget gap," he said. "People everywhere are struggling to preserve their jobs and their savings accounts as they watch government debts grow. People are already burdened enough just paying for the fundamentals in life without having to worry if the state will balance its deficit on their backs with higher taxes and fees."
Holt will open three campaign offices across the county, including one with former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who is running to retake Government House from Gov. Martin O'Malley.