By Andrea Herb and Annette Arceneaux
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writers
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who had served in public office since 1982 and was seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor in 2018, died early this morning from cardiac arrest at age 60, police said.
Police spokeswoman Elise Armacost said during a press conference today that Kamenetz woke up at his home in Owings Mills at about 2 a.m. complaining that he felt ill. He and his wife drove about two miles to the Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Company and called 911 from a parking lot, Armacost said. He was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center, where Kamenetz went in full cardiac arrest.
He was pronounced dead at 3:20 a.m.
“All of us at the Maryland Democratic Party are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Kevin Kamenetz, and today our condolences go out to his wife Jill, their two sons, his running mate Valerie Ervin, and his staff as they mourn the loss of a husband, father and mentor,” said Kathleen Matthews, the Maryland Democratic Party chairwoman. “Maryland families lost one of their best champions this morning.”
Kamenetz was a Baltimore County native and had served as the Baltimore county executive since December 2010. He was a member of the County Council from 1994 until his election as executive. Prior to that, Kamenetz had served as the assistant state attorney from 1982 to 87.
Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-mast in honor of Kamenetz until after sunset on Friday.
“Please join me in keeping his family and the people of Baltimore County in your thoughts and prayers,” Hogan said on Twitter.
On Twitter, many users began mourning the loss of Kamenetz, including colleagues and interns.
While campaigning for governor, Kamenetz focused his efforts on helping Maryland workers. He fought for a minimum wage of $15 across the state, as well as an expansion of job-training programs.
“Like so many, I am shocked and heartbroken by this sudden and unexpected loss,” said former Montgomery County Council woman Valerie Ervin, who Kamenetz had picked as his running mate in the 2018 gubernatorial election. “I want to thank those across Maryland for their outpouring of support, sympathy, and gratitude during this difficult time. Kevin was first and foremost a loving husband to his wife Jill and a proud father to Karson and Dylan. And he was a dedicated, bold leader who served the people of Baltimore County for over 20 years. I have been honored to call him a friend and partner.”
A spokesperson for Baltimore County Councilwoman Cathy Belvin said: “She was shocked to hear the news. They worked together over the past eight years as he was county executive and she was county councilwoman. He gave 24 years of service to the county and she knew him to be a wonderful husband and father.”
According to the Baltimore County website, Kamenetz pushed for a $1.3 billion investment in county schools. During his tenure, the county’s crime rate dropped to historic lows. He was responsible for implementing body cameras for police officers.
As county executive, Kamenetz helped build 11 new parks, four new dog parks, give new artificial turf fields and 10 major park improvements, the county website says. He has been called a fiscal conservative and maintained property taxes at their current level since becoming county executive.
Kamenetz is survived by his wife, Jill Kamenetz, and his sons Karson and Dylan, among other family members.
Kamenetz’s funeral will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. and is open to the public. The ceremony will be held at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation at 7401 Park Heights Avenue. From there, he will be buried at Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery at Berrymans Lane.
The family asks that in place of flowers, donations be made in Kamenetz’s honor to the American Cancer Society and the Baltimore Humane Society.
Baltimore County Executive and Democratic candidate for the 2018 gubernatorial contest, Kevin Kamenetz, 60, died early this morning at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center following a cardiac arrest, police said.
Kamenetz was transported St. Joseph from his home, where doctors pronounced him deceased at 3:22 a.m.
Related Coverage
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz died early Thursday morning at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center following a cardiac arrest. He was 60 years old.
According to Baltimore County officials Kamenetz was at his home in Owings Mills, asleep, when he awoke at about 2 a.m. and complained of feeling ill.
He was transported by the Garrison Fire Station’s Medic 19 to St. Joseph, where doctors pronounced him dead at 3:22 a.m.
After beginning his public service career as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, Kamenetz was elected in 1994 to the Baltimore County Council, where he served four terms. He was a former president of the Maryland Association of Counties and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.
He was first elected county executive in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. See full story here.
A Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate died suddenly Thursday morning after experiencing cardiac arrest, authorities said.
Before he died of cardiac arrest early Thursday morning, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was a formidable and leading contender in the crowded Democratic primary race for governor.
The two-term county executive’s unexpected death will have dramatic political ramifications, shaking up what was a seven-way contest of major candidates hoping to take on popular Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.
Kamenetz consistently polled among the top three candidates and had raised more money than anyone else in the field. This week, his campaign had reserved more than $1 million worth of airtime in the Baltimore and Washington markets — the first Democratic candidate with the resources to do that. He was a dominant political force in the Baltimore region, a battleground area crucial to winning the primary less than six weeks away. Read the full story here.