Politics

Baltimore County League of Women Voters criticizes Inspector General appointment process

TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County League of Women Voters has voiced “serious opposition” to the process recently implemented County Executive Kathy Klausmeier for appointing the Baltimore County Inspector General.

Last week, County Executive Klausmeier announced the selection of Khadija E. Walker, a federal veteran, as her appointee for Baltimore County Inspector General. Walker’s name has been formally submitted to the County Council for consideration and confirmation, despite strong bipartisan support for current Inspector General Kelly Madigan.

In a letter addressed to the Baltimore County Council, the nonpartisan organization urged the council to ensure a transparent, legal, and trustworthy procedure, citing concerns about adherence to county code and the independence of the office.

The League contends that the current process, which appears to require an incumbent Inspector General to reapply through a public search, is inconsistent with Baltimore County Code § 3-14-103. They argue the law differentiates between an initial appointment, which necessitates an open and competitive search, and a reappointment, which should be a direct nomination by the County Executive followed by Council confirmation. The League stated that mixing these procedures “risks undermining the office’s independence and public trust.”

The letter emphasized the Inspector General’s critical role in investigating waste, fraud, and abuse, a responsibility that demands “demonstrated investigative expertise and independence.”

The League called on the County Council to intervene, asserting the council’s “authority and duty to intervene and provide checks and balances.” They specifically urged the council to:

  • Ensure full adherence to legal requirements for both appointment and reappointment.
  • Support an open and merit-based process only when legally mandated.
  • Maintain clear and accurate disclosure of candidate qualifications.
  • Safeguard the Inspector General’s independence and nonpartisan oversight role.
  • Reject the currently implemented reappointment procedure.
  • Begin drafting legislation to address potential loopholes in the selection and reappointment process.

The organization affirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in Baltimore County governance.

The full letter can be viewed below:

July 28, 2025

Members of the Baltimore County Council
400 Washington Avenue, Room 205
Towson, MD 21204

Honorable Council Members:

The Baltimore County League of Women Voters is writing to express our serious opposition to the process for appointing the Baltimore County Inspector General that has been recently implemented by the County Executive and to urge the Council to demonstrate its commitment to a transparent, legal, and trustworthy procedure as outlined in § 3-14-103 of the Baltimore County Code. The League’s mission, as stated on our website, is to help increase understanding of politics and provide opportunities to be involved. We, as you profess, believe that open, accountable, and transparent government is vital for a healthy democracy, and that the Inspector General’s oversight role requires particular care to ensure public confidence and governmental integrity. Therefore, the Baltimore County League strongly opposes a process which in any way compromises or politicizes selection of individuals to an office that at its inception was intended to reinforce such fairness, openness, and transparency.

This letter is submitted on a nonpartisan basis; neither is it intended to support or denounce any candidate. However, it does reject a process that makes any results subject to dispute. It is essential that the nomination and appointment process for Inspector General not only follow the law but also uphold the highest standards of openness and nonpartisan integrity. To that point, recent developments have raised concerns about the lack of transparency, unclear candidate qualifications, and potential politicization of this critical office. One benefit of our democracy nationally as well as locally is that branches of government can counterbalance others. The County Council indeed has the authority and duty to intervene and provide checks and balances when actions are taken by the other branches of government.

The law undoubtedly distinguishes between the initial appointment, which requires an open and competitive search, and the reappointment process for incumbents, which should be a straightforward nomination by the County Executive and confirmation by the County Council. Mixing these procedures or requiring an incumbent to reapply in a public search, is inconsistent with the law and risks undermining the office’s independence and public trust. According to role stipulations, the Inspector General is tasked with investigating waste, fraud, and abuse, a responsibility distinct from routine auditing and requires demonstrated investigative expertise and independence. Although the League is not herein supporting any candidate, consideration of candidate credentials is crucial.

For those reasons, we urge you to:

  • Ensure full adherence to all legal requirements in 3-14-103 for both appointment and reappointment.
  • Support an open, transparent, and merit-based process only when required by law;
  • Maintain clear, accurate disclosure of candidate qualifications; and
  • Safeguard the Inspector General’s independence, as well as the office’s nonpartisan, watchdog role for the benefit of all Baltimore County residents.

In summary, the Baltimore County League of Women Voters opposes the reappointment process currently implemented, which clearly did not have to be executed at this time. The League asks the County Council to exercise their authority and reject that selection procedure. Further, to strengthen public trust, the League urges the County Council to begin crafting legislation that will close any potential loophole(s) as well as offset future possibilities that would cause doubt about either the Inspector General selection or reappointment process.

Again, the League is committed to promoting transparency and accountability and remains ready to support the Council in upholding fair and lawful governance for Baltimore County.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

League of Women Voters of Baltimore County Executive Committee and Board of Directors

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