Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater on Wednesday announced the creation of a new government office to oversee agriculture.

Frederick County plans to replace about 21% of its vehicle fleet with electric vehicles, as well as use biodiesel fuel for other parts of the fleet, to help lower the county’s greenhouse gas emissions. Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater spoke about the transition plan on Friday at Mobilize Frederick’s climate summit at Hood College.

The new branch of the Middletown library is scheduled to open on May 4. The site, on East Green Street, will be significantly larger than the branch's current location.

FREDERICK, Md. (DC NewsNow) — In Frederick County, Maryland the Rotary club hosted a debate for the two candidates running for Frederick County executive. Watch the video for more.

Fitzwater also said that, in her 16 years teaching elementary school music in the county, she has had experience managing the concerns of students, their parents and school system administrators.

“We need to make sure that we’re representing everyone,” Fitzwater said during a podcast interview with the News-Post on Friday. “That’s my track record and that’s my value system.”

Take a look at our new video.

Name: Jessica Fitzwater

Political party: Democratic

Where you live: Frederick

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: elementary music teacher, Frederick County Public Schools

Political experience (public offices held and when; as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): Frederick County Council Member, District 4, 2014-present

Campaign information:

email: info@jessicafitzwater.com

website: https://www.jessicafitzwater.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaFitzwaterforFrederick

Twitter: @jessfitzwater

Instagram: @fitzwaterforfrederick

1 – Why are you running for county executive? (75 words max)

I am running for county executive because everyone who lives in Frederick County deserves the opportunity to meet their full potential and thrive. From students to seniors, small-business owners to service workers, we know there are significant disparities in quality-of-life outcomes across our county. We need a proven, effective leader who will lead through listening and build on the progress we’ve made over the past eight years. It is time for transformational leadership.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race? How specifically would you address it? (100 words max)

Embracing our growing and changing community is paramount to our county’s future success. Growth is often discussed in black and white, all or nothing. But that is not reality. We can preserve agriculture while incentivizing best practices that improve soil quality. We can welcome new residents and businesses while utilizing smart growth policies that ensure good schools, create an inclusive community, and protect public health. And we can build climate resilience while providing new workforce development and green jobs. As county executive, I will be the leader who gets us there.

3 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this position? (100 words max)

As a mom of two, a teacher, and a two-term council member, I have years of experience managing competing priorities and doing it well. I am the only candidate with eight years in charter government. I know how local government works and how to target areas for improvement. I am an effective leader with a track record of working across the aisle and collaborating with community members to get things done. My 16 years as a teacher matter. too. As a local businessman put it to me recently, teachers know how to plan, meet outcomes, and work with diverse stakeholders.

4 – What is one major issue County Executive Jan Gardner has handled poorly? What would you have done differently? (100 words max)

Jan Gardner's biggest sin as county executive has been to set a high standard for future leaders. As county executive, I will be a different leader than Jan, in particular because of my unique experience as a legislative leader on the County Council for eight years. I will build on the progress we have made by improving communication among the executive and legislative branches and the public at large. I am committed to open and transparent government, from enhancing open data and access to information, to utilizing an inclusive and robust process for public input in decision-making.

5 – What do you think of the county's goal of preserving 100,000 acres of farmland by 2040? (100 words max)

We have made incredible progress in agricultural preservation during my eight years on the council. Due to the council’s legislative action to increase funding for preservation, we are on track to meet our goal of 100,000 acres preserved before 2040. We have the will and the resources to increase this goal. As county executive, I’ll strengthen farmland preservation. But we can’t preserve farms without also preserving the farmers. We must enhance grants, initiatives, and legislation that support farmers’ innovation and allow them to thrive as business owners who contribute so much to our rich history and bright future.

6 – How well does the county do at attracting new businesses and significant employers? What should the county do? (100 words max)

With Frederick County's proximity to two major metropolitan areas, a well-educated workforce because of our strong schools, and a base of high-tech, health services, agriculture, and manufacturing, we are competitive in attracting and retaining businesses. Our Office of Economic Development has helped bring thousands of jobs to Frederick County, even during COVID. Our turbo fast-track permitting has attracted major employers like Ellume, Kite, and Kroger to our local economy. We must also remain committed to our small businesses. I will add a small business liaison/navigator to ensure people have a point of contact throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

7 – What do you think of the Livable Frederick Master Plan? How should the county grow in population and development? (100 words max)

As a leader on the County Council during the passage of Livable Frederick, I fully support the plan and know that it must remain a true community plan. Utilizing the LFMP’s shared vision for our community, health, economy, and environment will ensure that we manage growth in a way that benefits our families, businesses, and our climate and ensures that we are a welcoming and inclusive community. I would implement a LFMP dashboard where residents can track in real time the progress we are making on goals and initiatives and hold us accountable for commitments we have made.

8 – Do you support a plan to widen interstates 270 and 495 and add tolls? Why or why not? (100 words max)

Transportation will always be a focus for the county. With close to 40% of our residents commuting for employment, we must be an engaged partner with other leaders across the state on transportation improvements. There is no doubt that changes in the I-270/I-495 corridor need to be made. But as this plan has evolved, there are serious concerns about whether traffic would be alleviated north of I-370 toward Frederick and equity concerns about the cost of managed toll lanes. As county executive, I commit to advocating for the needs of Frederick County commuters as regional transportation plans move forward.

9 – How well is the county caring for a rapidly growing population of older residents? How would you address future needs? (100 words max)

As the daughter of aging parents, I am fully aware that Frederick County has one of the fastest growing senior populations in Maryland. We have elevated Senior Services to a county division, enhancing staffing and responding to the needs of our residents. I am committed to moving forward with a new senior center and enhancing programs that help seniors age in place by providing resources for deferred maintenance or safety enhancements. We must incentivize and attract the building of more senior affordable rentals to give seniors affordable options for safe and stable housing as they age.

10 – Has the county spent its money wisely? Give specific examples. (100 words max)

I am proud of our track record of fiscal responsibility these past eight years. The county has earned and maintained a AAA bond rating from all three rating agencies resulting in major savings for taxpayers. We have made record investments in education, school construction, and public safety all while maintaining tax rates. This year, we implemented targeted income tax relief to close to 60% of tax filers in the county to help working families and seniors on fixed incomes. And we have invested in community partnership grants to nonprofits to squeeze the most out of each tax dollar.

Frederick County executive candidate Jessica Fitzwater raised more than double the amount that her opponent, state Sen. Michael Hough, brought in from early July to late August, according to new campaign finance reports.

Fitzwater, a Democrat who since 2014 has represented the east side of Frederick on the County Council, raised $124,000 between July 4 and Aug. 23, the period for the latest campaign finance reports.

Hough, a Republican who since 2015 has represented Frederick and Carroll counties in the state legislature, raised $58,000 during the same period.

“My fundraising support serves as a stark contrast to my opponent, who is relying on his Washington, D.C. connections and out-of-state contributors to try to influence Frederick County politics,” Fitzwater said in a press release Wednesday. “We don’t need outsiders trying to tell us what our future should be.”

However, going back to early 2021, Hough has raised four times as much money as Fitzwater.

From January 2021 through early July 2022, Hough raised $478,000. Fitzwater raised $195,000 during the same period.

Since 2017, Hough has worked as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, a Republican in West Virginia, who formerly represented Frederick County as a state senator.

Campaign finance reports showed only subtle differences in the number of out-of-state contributions the two candidates received.

About 5.4% of individual contributions to Fitzwater’s campaign came from outside Maryland, campaign finance reports show. Her out-of-state contributions totaled $14,800, or roughly 12% of the money donated to her campaign between July 4 and Aug. 23.

Individual donations from outside Maryland comprised 6.5% of the money given to Hough’s campaign, according to campaign finance reports. His out-of-state contributions totaled $5,900, or 10% of cash given to his campaign.

“We are proud to have nearly a 4-to-1 cash-on-hand advantage over Jessica Fitzwater,” Hough wrote in a text message on Wednesday. “Her report showed a large chunk of her donations came from liberal politicians who want to turn us into Montgomery County North.”

Between July 4 and Aug. 23, Hough spent $110,000 and had $434,000 remaining heading into the Nov. 8 general election.

Fitzwater spent $143,000, and she had $119,000 in cash remaining.

Fitzwater won the Democratic primary election in July with 58% of the vote. She defeated County Councilman Kai Hagen and Daryl Boffman, a business consultant and former Frederick County Board of Education member.

Fitzwater’s two former rivals contributed to her campaign during the last transaction period. Hagen donated $3,000 and Boffman contributed $2,000.

Hough ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

After refraining from making any campaign donations in the contested primary election, County Executive Jan Gardner, D, gave $6,000 to Fitzwater’s campaign.

Fitzwater received help from federal Democratic lawmakers, too, including $11,500 from U.S. Rep. David Trone and his wife, June; $4,000 from U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin; and $6,000 from U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown.

Hough received $1,000 from state Del. Barrie Ciliberti, who has represented Frederick and Carroll counties since 2015, and $3,000 from state Sen. John (Jack) Bailey’s campaign. Bailey represents Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

County Council

In addition to the next county executive, voters will elect seven candidates to the County Council in November. Below are campaign finance numbers for the 14 remaining County Council candidates for the period from July 4 to Aug. 23:

At-large (voters elect two candidates)

Tony Chmelik (R) raised $0, spent $1,470, has $1,540 remaining

Councilman Phil Dacey (R) raised $11,770, spent $19,340, has $72,450 remaining

Renee Knapp (D) raised $5,100, spent $185, has $11,460 remaining

Brad Young (D) raised $15,680, spent $7,580, has $37,370 remaining

District 1

John Distel (R) raised $2,150, spent $1,460 has $3,730 remaining

Councilman Jerry Donald (D) raised $3,940, spent $12,680, has $14,590 remaining

District 2

Councilman Steve McKay (R) raised $4,500, spent $6,320, has $6,440 remaining

Lisa Jarosinski (D) raised $8,070, spent $828, has $9,490 remaining

District 3

Shelley Aloi (R) raised $0, spent $64, has $536 remaining

Council President M.C. Keegan-Ayer (D) raised $1,380, spent $43, has $17,790 remaining

District 4

John Fer (R) raised $350, spent $0, has $350 remaining

Kavonte Duckett (D) raised $1,640, spent $3,980, has $6,030 remaining

District 5

Mason Carter (R) raised $3,080, spent $6,130, has $2,510 remaining

Julianna Lufkin (D) raised $150, spent $2,020, has $1,390 remaining

https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/07/26/winners-and-losers-so-far-in-the-maryland-primaries/

Frederick County Councilwoman Jessica Fitzwater pulled out to a commanding lead ahead of Councilman Kai Hagen and Daryl Boffman for the Democratic nomination for Frederick County executive, based on unofficial results released early Wednesday.