J. Thomas Barranger

J. Thomas Barranger was an American Democratic politician from Maryland who served as the 2nd Harford County Executive.

Barranger grew-up in Northwest Baltimore and attended Shrine of the Little Flower School.

Barranger graduated from the University of Baltimore with a degree in criminal justice. Before being elected to County Executive, Barranger was a Harford County public defender.

Harford County Maryland was granted home rule government in 1972. When he was elected in 1978, Barranger defeated incumbent Democrat Charles B. Anderson, Jr. in the primary when he was only 31 years old. Barranger was defeated in the 1982 Democratic primary by future County Executive Habern W. Freeman. As a county executive, Barranger served on the Regional Planning Council and the Personnel Advisory Board, Harford County from 1978 until 1982.

Barranger was active in the community and was a lacrosse coach with the Fallston Recreation Council and then later at Harford Community College. After being County Executive, Barranger moved to Montgomery County where he lived for the next 25 years. He then worked for Lockheed Martin. Barranger died on March 25, 2011 in Bethesda.

• 1978 General Election Race for Harford County Executive

Voters to choose one:

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
J. Thomas Barranger, Dem.	18,533	60.56%	Won
William B. Davidson, Jr., Rep.	12,069	39.44%	Lost

• 1978 Democratic Primary Race for Harford County Executive

Voters to choose one:

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
J. Thomas Barranger, Dem.	7,685	43.48%	Won
Charles B. Anderson, Jr., Dem.	5,539	31.34%	Lost
William Cooper, Jr., Dem.	4,453	25.19%	Lost