Baltimore County Sheriff

What’s the job: Duties differ by jurisdiction. In some counties, the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer. In other jurisdictions, the sheriff is primarily responsible for courtroom security and enforcing court orders, such as evictions. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Clyde E. Boatwright

Age: 49

Personal: For the last 25 years, I have dedicated my life to public service as a police officer. I was born in Baltimore City and currently reside in the Baltimore County community of Middle River, MD. In addition to serving as a police officer in Baltimore City, I spent 10 years coaching high school sports, ultimately winning three consecutive Citywide Girls Basketball Championships at my alma mater, Carver Voc-Tech High School (Baltimore), where I was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. My partner Donna and I are the proud parents of three adult children, four beautiful grandchildren, and a little bundle of love, our Shih Tzu, Dora.

Education: I completed the prestigious law enforcement leadership program at the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in Evanston, Illinois.

Attended the University of Maryland Global Campus, Public Safety Executive Leadership

Experience: Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police (State President/CEO since 2020) 2016 - Current

Baltimore City School Police Sergeant (Union President since 2009) 2012 - Current Baltimore City School Police Corporal (1st-Line Supervisor/Evening Shift Commander) 2007 - 2012 (Promoted) Baltimore City School Police Police Officer (Patrol Officer) 2003 - 2007 (Promoted) Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office (Deputy Sheriff) 2001-2003 Boards/ Public Service Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (Vice-Chairman, elected in 2026) 2016 - Current Maryland Crime Victim Resource Center (Board Member) 2020- Current National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE - Member)

Questionnaire

Q: What is your top priority for improving public safety, and what specific steps would you take in your first year in office to achieve it?

Q: How would you approach the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the communities it serves, particularly residents who have historically had strained relationships with law enforcement?

Q: Maryland sheriffs have faced questions about the extent to which their offices should assist in federal immigration enforcement. How would you handle requests from federal agencies to cooperate on immigration matters?

Q: Why are you the best candidate for sheriff?

Name: William Merrill, 3rd

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Adam Schuster

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Republican

Name: Michael F. Burke

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.