Baltimore County Council votes down Khadijah Walker as inspector general nominee

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Baltimore County Council voted 5-2 on Aug. 4 to reject Khadijah Walker, County Executive Katherine A. Klausmeier’s nominee for inspector general. 

The decision follows controversy over the selection process, scrutiny of Walker’s resume and public protest over Klausmeier’s decision not to automatically reappoint incumbent Kelly Madigan. Councilmembers Julian Jones (D-District 4) and Pat Young (D-District 1) represented the only votes in favor of Walker’s instatement. 

Jones expressed deep disappointment and concern over the decision and asserted that it was the first time in the county’s history that a county executive’s nominee was not confirmed. 

“Our role is not to play politics, but to determine whether the nominee is qualified—not whether we personally agree with them, not whether someone would be better, but whether they are qualified. Ms. Khadijah Walker is extremely qualified.” said Jones. “Her record speaks for itself. With years of experience, she has demonstrated integrity and clear commitment to public service.” 

Walker has spent more than two decades in inspector general offices for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She has addressed high-profile issues, including the water crises in Flint, Mich. and Jackson, Miss. 

Before the vote, Walker gave a testimony outlining her vision to bring neutrality, independence and integrity to the inspector general’s office. 

Walker said that her approach to the role would “focus on improving government efficiency and effectiveness while identifying and addressing instances of fraud, waste and abuse.” “

From our conversations, I understand that permitting water quality, housing and service quality are among the key areas of concern, and I am prepared to look into these issues further and any other critical matters with urgency and objectivity,” Walker said during her testimony.

After the vote, Jones asserted that some council members refused to approve Walker due to political reasons. 

“She has earned this opportunity, but, unfortunately, it was clear from the start that some members of this council have made up on their minds before even hearing from her— not based on her qualifications or a fair process but based on political considerations, and, in some cases, a refusal to support any nominee, regardless of merit,” said Jones. 

Part of the criticism surrounding Walker’s nomination stemmed from concerns about her lack of investigative experience into elected officials and the decision to bypass Madigan. 

Before voting against Walker’s confirmation, Councilman David Marks (R-District 6) noted that the inspector general’s office operates independently and does not report directly to the county executive. He also said the phone calls and emails he’s received from Baltimore County residents have called for Madigan to be reappointed. 

Madigan, who became the first inspector general for Baltimore County in 2020, has been praised for her oversight, including investigating misuse of county vehicles and uncovering millions in waste, fraud and abuse. 

“She’s basically being recommended to be removed, yet this council has never been told why. This is a council with a history of supporting qualified candidates of all backgrounds,” said Marks. “The county executive has a long record of public service, but on this issue, many of us simply disagree with her recommendation. Ms. Madigan deserves a second term as inspector general.” 

Following the decision to reject Walker, the county executive released a statement saying she respected the council’s decision but was disappointed by it. She also said she will leave any future appointment or reappointment up to the next county executive. 

“I am grateful for Ms. Walker’s willingness to serve the residents of our county in this important position and am confident that her many years of high-level experience, strong sense of ethics and integrity will make an impact in her next role,” said Klausmeier in a statement. “I am also appreciative of her poise and grace during what has become a highly politicized process through no fault of her own.”