Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr. (D) announced Tuesday that Sean Naron will be joining his team as press secretary.
That means T.J. Smith, who currently holds the job, will be leaving at week’s end. And that could have implications for next year’s Baltimore City mayoral election.
It’s a reunion for Olszewski and Naron.
Naron most recently served as press secretary to Dr. Leana Wen at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. A Baltimore County native and graduate of Dulaney High School, Naron previously worked as communications director for Olszewski’s campaign for county executive, communications director for the late Baltimore County executive Kevin B. Kamenetz’s campaign for governor, and as deputy press secretary to former Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D).
“Sean is a dedicated, hard-working, and energetic communicator with years of experience working with journalists to ensure the public has access to the critical information they deserve,” Olszewski said in a statement.
The news release announcing Naron’s hiring said that Smith “will be departing the executive’s office to explore other opportunities.”
But it’s no secret that Smith, who previously served as the chief spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department, is deciding whether to run for mayor next year.
“I’ll have an announcement soon!!!” Smith said in a text to Maryland Matters Tuesday.