A county executive is the elected head of government of a county in the United States.
The title for a person holding this position varies depending on the state. Many states with county executives refer to the position as "county executive," but common alternative titles include "county mayor," "county judge," "county judge-executive," "county president", "county chair," "chief executive officer," or, in New York, "borough president." In consolidated city-counties, the executive may be referred to as the "mayor" of the city. For example, the "Mayor of San Francisco" technically serves as the mayor of the city and county of San Francisco.
The responsibilities of a county executive vary from state to state, but frequently include presiding over the county legislature; signing bills passed by the county legislature into law; managing county government agencies, finances, projects, and services; and appointing some county officials.
The first county executives were established in Cook County, Illinois, in 1893, with the state legislature's creation of the President of the County Board, and in New Jersey with the creation of county executives in 1900, though these offices' powers were more limited. However, the growth of modern county executives began in Westchester County, New York, in 1938. Today, approximately 700 counties have elected executives.
Notable county executives
Spiro Agnew, Vice President of the United States (1969-1973); Governor of Maryland (1967-1969); Baltimore County Executive (1962-1966)
Angela Alsobrooks, U.S. Senator from Maryland (2025–present); Prince George's County Executive (2018–2024)
Chris Coons, U.S. Senator from Delaware (2010–present); New Castle County Executive (2005–2010)
Booth Gardner, Governor of Washington (1985–1993); Pierce County Executive (1981–1985)
Parris Glendening, Governor of Maryland (1995–2003); Prince George's County Executive (1982–1994)
Gary Locke, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2009–2011); Governor of Washington (1997–2005); King County Executive (1994–1997)
Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii (2002–2010); Mayor of Maui County (1991–1999)
Mel Martínez, U.S. Senator from Florida (2005–2009); U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2001–2004); Orange County Chairman (1999–2001)
John Spellman, Governor of Washington (1981–1985); King County Executive (1969–1981)
Harry S. Truman, President of the United States (1945–1953); Presiding Judge of Jackson County (1927–1935)
Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019); Milwaukee County Executive (2002–2010)