Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore County Executive and Democratic candidate for governor, dies

TOWSON, Md. - Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, a Democratic candidate for Maryland governor, died early Thursday morning of cardiac arrest, officials say. He was 60 years old.

In a press release, officials say Kamenetz was at his home in Owings Mills, asleep, when he woke up at about 2 a.m. and complained of feeling ill.

He was transported to the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson where doctors pronounced him dead at 3:22 a.m, officials said. A briefing regarding his death will be held later Thursday morning.

News of his passing sent shock waves through Maryland political circles.

In a statement, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan called Kamenetz a "a dedicated public servant" and directed all Maryland flags be lowered Thursday through sunset on the day of his interment.

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh called Kamenetz "a friend and colleague" and said he was "an ardent supporter of Baltimore City." She ordered all flags within the city to be flown at half-staff

Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, who was running against Kamenetz in the governor's race, said he was shocked and saddened by the news. "I am going to really miss being in the trenches with him trying to find solutions for MD problems," he tweeted.