‘Born and raised’: Republican Patrick Dyer wants to be the next Baltimore County executive

Patrick Dyer worries about the day his kids grow up, realize how much it costs to live in Baltimore County, turn to him and say, “Dad, I’m leaving.”

That prospect alone motivated the father of four to jump into the crowded race for Baltimore County Executive.

“I want them to get a quality education, and I want them to find a job ... And then I want them to find a place that they can live in, affordable housing. And I want that for every child. Not just mine,” Dyer said. “And that’s why I’m running.”

The 64-year-old has mounted his campaign based on public safety, small-business growth and competent political leadership. All of which, he said, comes from his financial career — Dyer owns an investment brokerage firm — and his experience as a fixture in the Baltimore County community.

The Timonium native and political newcomer faces Kimberley Stansbury in the Republican primary this June. He’s raised roughly $25,000 — about $10,000 more than Stansbury, according to campaign finance records.

Dyer understands any Republican is a long shot in a county where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans roughly 2-to-1.

He’s still a million-plus shy in fundraising compared with leading Democratic candidates Councilmen Julian Jones and Izzy Patoka.

But the odds seem to increase Dyer’s enthusiasm. He thinks after 40 years of Democratic control, Baltimore County residents are ready for a change.

“We’ve had the same government for years,” Dyer said. “The one-party rule. I don’t think that’s healthy.”

‘Safety of the citizens’

Crime is on Dyer’s mind.

Whether it’s an armed carjacking at the Towson Town Center earlier this week or the “teen takeover” at White Marsh Mall in March.

“I think the No. 1 job of the county executive is to protect and the safety of the citizens,” he said.

Dyer said he’s frustrated that more resources have not been allocated to the Baltimore County Police Department, which is struggling as more members retire or leave the force.

Police spokesperson Joy Lepola-Stewart previously told The Banner that the department had 185 vacancies as of October 2025.

“And there are times that this county is vulnerable and God forbid something [happens] ... I’m going to make sure they are ready, rested, and always prepared,” Dyer said.

Janet Wagoner, a family friend and fellow lifelong county resident, said safe neighborhoods are the backbone of any community, and that she’s confident Dyer will prioritize that.

“I would love to see him support law enforcement more effectively than [the county] is now,” she said. “He would gain community trust.”

And safety, Wagoner added, is the foundation any government needs to enable business growth.

“All the retailers leaving the Towson mall is just so sad,” she said.

Jobs, stability and cost of living

The root of the county’s affordability crisis is the job market, Dyer said.

Whether that’s the 67 jobs soon to be lost when Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill closes its Towson Town Center location in June or the 22-year-old graduate unable to find a place to work and live in the county they grew up in.

Building a thriving business community starts with reinvigorating the county’s outdated, slow-moving permitting process, Dyer said.

“We need income in this community,” he said. “I mean, you can go up and down York Road ... there’s so many vacant businesses.”

And it’s imperative, he said, that the county executive creates opportunities for young people that encourage those born in Baltimore County to stay and those born elsewhere to become residents.

Wagoner said she thinks Dyer will treat running the county the same way he treats his own business: with professionalism and competence.

“Taxpayers deserve to have a county that’s run well,” she said. “As far as growing a business, Pat’s done it. If we have a county that’s more of a partner to people who want to grow a business, that will help the county grow.”

In addition to job growth, Dyer said he’s also committed to advocating for additional housing and increasing the county’s affordability.

He added that even though the stalled Lutherville Station project — which would replace a declining strip mall with apartments and retailers next to a Light Rail station — has faced numerous legal and political challenges, it’s an example of the kind of mixed-use housing the county needs to prioritize.

“With the transit-oriented development, I think there’s a solution there to make that work,” Dyer said.

Generational roots

Long ago, Baltimore County Catholics like to say, there were only two options for mass: St. Joseph Parish in Cockeysville or the Baltimore Basilica downtown.

But Dyer’s great-great grandfather, also Patrick, decided to donate land in Reisterstown to form what is now the Sacred Heart Parish.

“That’s why you have Dyer and Wabash Avenues,” he said. “That’s in my family’s name.”

Dyer’s Baltimore County roots go back more than just generations, though.

Wagoner, whose 17-year-old son befriended Dyer’s boy back when they were in kindergarten has watched the aspiring politician give his heart to their community for over a decade.

“He’s so well known in the community because of all the hands he has in differing organizations, volunteering and being a compassionate, popular person,” she said.

Dyer previously served as chairman of the Associated Italian American Charities Of Maryland and president of the Hibernian Society of Baltimore.

Wagoner, an independent voter, said she’ll most likely change her voter registration to Republican just to vote for Dyer in the primary.

“He’s a lifelong resident, he knows the county intimately, went to college here. ... I mean he never left,” she said. “I feel like he would do the job well, and maybe that’s what the county needs, is a change.”

For his part, Dyer emphasized he’s been in public service his entire career, but he’s not a political operator.

“I don’t have any outside influence,” he said. “No one is going to direct me. .... I’ve got a clean slate. I’m not obligated to anyone except the taxpayers of Baltimore County. That’s who I’m working for.”