Frederick County Executive Choose 1
DUTIES: The County Executive directs, supervises and oversees Frederick County Government departments and agencies, establishes policies and proposes the budget.TERM: The County Executive serves a four-year term and not more than two consecutive termsSALARY: $137,000, plus benefitsHOW ELECTED: Beginning in 2014 and every four years thereafter, the registered voters of the entire County shall elect a County Executive in the manner provided by law at the same time as members of the General Assembly are electedVideo of May 28, 2026 candidate forum for Republican candidates for this race: https://youtube.com/live/w7t7ofrxpvk
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://www.jessicafitzwater.com
Campaign Email
info@jessicafitzwater.com
Campaign Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/JessicaFitzwaterforFrederick
Campaign Instagram
fitzwaterforfrederick
Campaign Twitter Handle
@jessfitzwater
Campaign Mailing Address
Friends of Jessica Fitzwater PO Box 3574
Frederick, MD 21705
Frederick, MD 21705
1. How has your education and life experience prepared you to serve as County Executive?
I work every day to make Frederick County a community where everyone can live, work, and thrive while enjoying a strong sense of place and belonging. I was elected County Executive after two terms on the County Council and 16 years as a teacher, and public education is my top priority. In my first three budgets, we increased education funding by 30% and prioritized school construction and renovation. If re-elected, I will continue to work to grow our economy and tackle affordability.
2. What is your position on legislation regulating the placement of data centers in Frederick County and the provision of the electric power that they require?
Data centers are the most regulated industry in the County. In 2023, I convened a Data Centers Workgroup and paused applications for new development. We created strict new standards for data centers, & proposed an overlay to prevent data center sprawl, ensure they can’t be built on 99% of our land, & limit development to an area with appropriate infrastructure. County governments cannot regulate electric utilities, & I have consistently encouraged state lawmakers to act on this critical issue.
3. What legislation would you support to balance the needs of residents facing housing insecurity with the interest of housing providers?
We are prioritizing building housing on County-owned land, including construction of 150 affordable homes next to the Prospect Center, with access to schools, transit, and other services. We released our Housing Strategic Plan, a data-informed roadmap for addressing the housing affordability crisis- the first in a decade. I will introduce legislation to improve our moderately priced dwelling units ordinance. We have also significantly increased funding for the Housing Initiative Fund.
4. Considering the current federal actions by ICE, what actions, if any, should be taken to protect undocumented immigrants and people of color living in Frederick County?
ICE’s enforcement tactics are designed to divide communities and foster division and fear. I condemn them in the strongest terms possible. I actively supported state legislation to ban 287(g) agreements between the federal government and local law enforcement. I increased grant programs which help immigrant-serving non-profit organizations, and I strengthened the County’s commitment to inclusive practices in the face of unprecedented federal pressure to end such programs.
5. What approach would you take to improve sustainability in Frederick County and to address disasters that may result from the current effects of climate change?
Local governments are more important in the climate fight than ever because of the current administration’s relentless efforts to rollback environmental regulations.As County Executive, I advanced our Internal Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) & released our Community CEAP. I will prioritize decarbonizing County buildings & codifying electrification measures. We will continue our focus on projects like the Prospect Center solar array and microgrid to build operational & community resilience.
6. How would you address concerns of the county’s senior citizens, particularly regarding mental health services and making in-home, non-medical aide services more accessible and affordable?"
We must do more to meet older residents’ needs as our senior population continues to grow. As County Executive, I opened the Middletown 50+ Community Center, expanded tax credits for older residents, and launched a service coordination model designed to help seniors age in place. We’re conducting a feasibility study to ensure future senior centers meet the needs of older adults now and in the future. I will continue to prioritize building new senior centers and investing in senior housing.
1. ¿Cómo le han preparado su educación y experiencia para desempeñarse como Ejecutivo del Condado?
Candidate has not yet responded.
2. ¿Cuál es su postura sobre la legislación que regula la ubicación de los centros de datos en el Condado de Frederick y el suministro de la energía eléctrica que requieren?
Candidate has not yet responded.
3. ¿Qué legislación apoyaría para equilibrar las necesidades de los residentes que enfrentan inseguridad habitacional con los intereses de los proveedores de vivienda?
Candidate has not yet responded.
4. Considerando las acciones federales actuales de ICE, ¿qué medidas, si las hubiera, deberían tomarse para proteger a los inmigrantes indocumentados y a las personas de color que viven en el Condado de Frederick?
Candidate has not yet responded.
5. ¿Qué enfoque adoptaría para mejorar la sostenibilidad en el Condado de Frederick y abordar los desastres que puedan resultar de los efectos actuales del cambio climático?
Candidate has not yet responded.
6. ¿Cómo abordaría las preocupaciones de las personas mayores del condado, en particular con respecto a los servicios de salud mental y a hacer que los servicios de asistencia no médica a domicilio sean más accesibles y asequibles?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Campaign Mailing Address
5308 Gold Mine Rd
Frederick, MD 21703-5818
Frederick, MD 21703-5818
1. How has your education and life experience prepared you to serve as County Executive?
I am life long resident of Frederick County and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the U. of MD and Law Degree from Catholic University of America. I have seen the growth of Frederick and how it has not always been managed well. My experience as a Mayor, former City Engineer, and as a private sector Engineer and attorney have provided me with a unique insight into the issues with infrastructure and public services keeping pace with growth. I have 30 years experience in both professions.
2. What is your position on legislation regulating the placement of data centers in Frederick County and the provision of the electric power that they require?
As with any development a thorough analysis of adequate public facilities is a bare minimum. This is particularly the case with water supply for the data centers. Likewise for the needed electric power and how the data center demands on both will impact Frederick County residents. It is far from clear that this critical analysis took place. The City of Frederick has two data center sites and this also must be factored into the water supply issue as the City depends on the County for water supply
3. What legislation would you support to balance the needs of residents facing housing insecurity with the interest of housing providers?
This is a very difficult issue for the government to tackle. The County could look to work with the Housing Authority to support its efforts to address affordable housing. Incentives to builders to be able to build more affordable housing units must be balanced with maintaining adequate public facilities, which in part is what drives up the costs to build residential units. Some fast-tracking of permits could also incentivize builders to build more affordable housing units.
4. Considering the current federal actions by ICE, what actions, if any, should be taken to protect undocumented immigrants and people of color living in Frederick County?
As County Executive I would focus on Local Government issues and not look to interject County Government into Federal Government actions.
5. What approach would you take to improve sustainability in Frederick County and to address disasters that may result from the current effects of climate change?
I would continue with sound development review for stormwater management and limiting impervious area as practical. This likely has the greatest effect on limiting our impact. I would also empower permit reviewers to work those submitting for permits to use common sense to increase energy efficient homes. I do not concur with the premise/conclusion of the question. However, I do believe in maintaining sound and common sense environmental practices to limit humans' impact on the environment
6. How would you address concerns of the county’s senior citizens, particularly regarding mental health services and making in-home, non-medical aide services more accessible and affordable?"
Although I am very fiscally conservative this is an area where the County needs to fund better. These services are best expanded through the Health Department . This is a quasi County agency. Therefore, the County would need to work with the State of Maryland to accomplish expanding the Health Department's ability to provide these services
1. ¿Cómo le han preparado su educación y experiencia para desempeñarse como Ejecutivo del Condado?
Candidate has not yet responded.
2. ¿Cuál es su postura sobre la legislación que regula la ubicación de los centros de datos en el Condado de Frederick y el suministro de la energía eléctrica que requieren?
Candidate has not yet responded.
3. ¿Qué legislación apoyaría para equilibrar las necesidades de los residentes que enfrentan inseguridad habitacional con los intereses de los proveedores de vivienda?
Candidate has not yet responded.
4. Considerando las acciones federales actuales de ICE, ¿qué medidas, si las hubiera, deberían tomarse para proteger a los inmigrantes indocumentados y a las personas de color que viven en el Condado de Frederick?
Candidate has not yet responded.
5. ¿Qué enfoque adoptaría para mejorar la sostenibilidad en el Condado de Frederick y abordar los desastres que puedan resultar de los efectos actuales del cambio climático?
Candidate has not yet responded.
6. ¿Cómo abordaría las preocupaciones de las personas mayores del condado, en particular con respecto a los servicios de salud mental y a hacer que los servicios de asistencia no médica a domicilio sean más accesibles y asequibles?
Candidate has not yet responded.