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Sheriff · Carroll County · 2026 Primary
The Sheriff is an elected official responsible for maintaining courthouse security, serving legal documents such as warrants and evictions, and transporting individuals in custody. In many Maryland counties, the Sheriff’s Office also serves as the primary law enforcement agency, conducting patrols and investigating crimes. This office is a key part of the local justice system, ensuring that court orders are enforced and the public is protected.
View all candidates in this raceJay Landsman, Jr. is a law enforcement veteran seeking to become Carroll County Sheriff in the 2026 Republican primary. A 26-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department who served as commander of the Towson Precinct and deputy chief for Towson University police, he comes from a four-generation law enforcement family spanning nearly 90 years of service. His father, Jay Landsman Sr., was featured on HBO's 'The Wire' in the early 2000s and inspired the character John Munch. After retiring from Baltimore County police in 2021, he briefly worked as an administrative services manager at Westminster Police Department before returning to law enforcement at Towson University police and ultimately pursuing the sheriff position. He has lived in the Westminster area with his wife and two children since 1998.
Sources: Campaign website
"I AM COMMITTED TO BRINGING Experienced, ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP WITH INTEGRITY TO THE CARROLL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IT'S TIME FOR A FRESH PERSPECTIVE AND a REAL CHOICE TO HELP CARROLL COUNTY GROW AND THRIVE SAFELY with Safe Communities, Safe Schools, and Safe Roads."
"For over 30 years, I've committed myself to public safety and serving communities in this region starting as a teenage cadet and progressing up the ranks to eventually serve as Chief of Operations for one of the largest police departments in the country. Most recently, I served as the patrol commander and later deputy chief of police for the second largest public university in our state."
"Contested elections are good for democracy. It gives the community a choice. It drives voter turnout."
"If elected, he would advocate for using funds, rather than increasing the sheriff's salary, to better support the people who deliver critical services to our communities."
Source: landsmanforsheriff.com
Public Safety
Landsman emphasizes bringing experienced and accountable leadership with integrity, focusing on safe communities, schools, roads, and places of worship through collaborative approaches with law enforcement resources, state attorney's office, and public-private partners.
“"Jay possesses the necessary law enforcement leadership experience and background in the field of criminal investigations needed for this new role. He has served in investigative assignments responsible for handling incidents ranging from street level crimes such as thefts, assaults, burglaries and robberies to narcotics distribution cases, homicide/missing person investigations, and vice related offenses such as human trafficking."”
Fiscal Policy
He advocates prioritizing funding for critical service providers rather than increasing the sheriff's salary.
“"Jay is a servant leader. If elected, he would advocate for using funds, rather than increasing the sheriff's salary, to better support the people who deliver critical services to our communities."”
Community Development
Landsman addresses growing challenges including mental health, drug abuse, domestic violence, juvenile crime, child abuse, and violent crime through collaboration among public safety and support resources.
“"Carroll County continues to grow and develop. Growth and development will inevitably bring real world challenges associated with mental health, drug abuse, domestic violence, juvenile crime, child abuse, and other violent crime. These challenges will require collaboration among public safety and support resources to find the approach to effectively prevent, investigate, and prosecute crime."”
Transportation
He commits to data-informed traffic enforcement with zero tolerance for fatalities.
“"Residents expect safe roads in their County. Any traffic fatality is unacceptable. Traffic enforcement and safety initiatives should be informed by data and tailored to address community concerns. If existing enforcement methods are ineffective in reducing violations and complaints, alternative strategies must be considered."”
Education
Landsman emphasizes building partnerships to ensure safe schools through ongoing efforts to protect facilities and build resilience.
“"Efforts to protect our schools and build resilience in our critical infrastructure have to be ongoing. Each facility or event comes with unique challenges. We must continuously look for ways to leverage technology, strengthen physical security measures, identify potential threats, and encourage open lines of communication with partners to shrink the window of opportunity for potential threat actors."”
External coverage from the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police and The Baltimore Sun describes Landsman as a 26-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department who was most prominently commander of the Towson Precinct. He is the son of Jay Landsman Sr., who appeared on HBO's 'The Wire' in the early 2000s and inspired the character John Munch. The FOP article notes that after retiring from Baltimore County police in 2021, he worked briefly as an administrative services manager at Westminster Police Department before returning to law enforcement at Towson University police to pursue the Carroll sheriff job.
“"Jay possesses the necessary law enforcement leadership experience and background in the field of criminal investigations needed for this new role."”
Source“"Efforts to protect our schools and build resilience in our critical infrastructure have to be ongoing."”
Source“"Residents expect safe roads in their County. Any traffic fatality is unacceptable."”
Source“"Contested elections are good for democracy. It gives the community a choice. It drives voter turnout."”
Source“"Carroll County continues to grow and develop. Growth and development will inevitably bring real world challenges associated with mental health, drug abuse, domestic violence, juvenile crime, child abuse, and other violent crime."”
Source