Kevin Kamenetz, one of the leading Democratic contenders running for Maryland governor, died suddenly Thursday morning of cardiac arrest.
The 60-year-old Baltimore County executive reportedly awoke at 2 a.m. in his Owings Mills home complaining of not feeling well, and was rushed to the hospital where he later died, The Associated Press reported.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered that all Maryland flags be lowered until sunset Thursday in honor of Kamenetz.
He also released a statement extending condolences to the surviving family.
“He was a dedicated public servant in Baltimore County for more than two decades, and we join with the citizens of Baltimore County and all Marylanders in mourning," Hogan said. "Our prayers go out to his wife, Jill, his sons Karson and Dylan, and to his entire family. In the difficult days to come, we will provide any support we possibly can to the Kamenetz family and the citizens of Baltimore County.”
Kamenetz's longtime aide and chief of staff, Don Mohler, said the unexpected death has left everyone in a state of shock, while his running mate in the governor’s race, Valerie Ervin, said "I can’t even believe this happened,” The Baltimore Sun reported.
Kamenetz began his career in public service after graduating from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Baltimore School of Law, according to his campaign website.
He worked as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and in 1994 he was elected to the Baltimore County Council, where he served four terms.
In 2010, he was elected as Baltimore County’s 12th County Executive, and in 2014, he was reelected.
The county's administrative officer Fred Homan has taken on the role of “acting county executive effective immediately," Mohler told The Baltimore Sun.
The temporary official will oversee the daily operations of county government until a replacement is voted in by the County Council to serve the remaining seven months of Kamenetz's term.
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