Jessica Fitzwater’s leadership will bring people together to make Frederick County a safer and more prosperous place to live, work, and raise a family

VISION

As a two-term leader on the County Council, I’ve brought people together to focus Frederick County on actions that put people first – increasing affordable housing, ending human trafficking, repealing a racist English-only ordinance, protecting our environment, investing in education, prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ+ residents, and giving voters a greater voice in government decision making. As County Executive, I’ll continue to work for everyone. Here’s more about my vision for Frederick County:

Trust in Government | Affordable Housing & Smart Growth | Education | Economic Development & Jobs | Public Safety | Environment & Climate | Health & Public Services | Community Values & Quality of Life

Trust in Government

We need a government that is above the partisan fray and stays focused on the people of Frederick County during these unprecedented times. If elected I will stay focused on Frederick County. As a Council Member known for listening and independent thinking, I know we can accomplish so much here in Frederick County, but only by building trust in our local decision-makers through meaningful public engagement. This means more than just an invitation to people to have a “voice at the table” – it requires creating a space to build the table together with the public.

  • • Place a high value on our public boards and commissions as an opportunity to gather input and feedback on critical issues facing our community

    • Commit to transparent government by enhancing open data and access to information

    • Improve communication between the executive and legislative branches and the public at large

    • Fight to ensure the civil rights of the people of Frederick County, and protect them from attacks on their basic rights and liberties.

Affordable Housing & Smart Growth

Growth is often discussed in all-or-nothing terms. But that is not reality. Embracing our growing and changing community is paramount to our county’s future success. 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. 

  • • Focus on small businesses and the 40% of Frederick County households that do not meet a survival budget with expanded property tax credits, sustained action on the cost of living, and a long-term focus on bringing more high-paying jobs to Frederick County

    • Accommodate new residents and businesses while utilizing smart growth policies that enhance our quality of life and protect public health

    • Hold developers accountable, including sharing the costs of new schools, roads, and infrastructure

    • Bring community leaders, environmentalists, and builders together to protect local forests and prioritize housing people can afford

Education

Frederick County Public Schools receive less funding per child than any other county in Maryland–and that hurts our kids. As a teacher at Oakdale Elementary for over 16 years, my direct classroom experience provides essential insights into improving our schools.

Frederick County’s teacher shortage means children and their families bear a burden that weighs us down. A teacher shortage creates a snowball effect. Fewer good teachers make the job harder, so more teachers leave. I can’t tell you how many colleagues have come to me saying, “I love the kids, but I just can’t handle another year like this.” As a teacher, it breaks my heart because the kids are the ones who lose the most. Large class sizes deprive schoolchildren of individual time with their teachers. Budgets don’t leave room for enough specialists like mental health professionals. That leaves parents on their own as they help their children through difficult formative years.

  • • Invest in education and improve our county’s relationship with the state to increase school funding and teacher pay to attract the best teachers around

    • Demand the share of school funding our growing county deserves by improving our relationship with the State

    • Invest in specialists, like social workers and other mental health professionals to identify and address roadblocks to student success

    • Attract the best educators to Frederick County by increasing school funding and teacher pay

    • Recognize that stronger schools and successful students lead to stronger business investments and more high-paying jobs

Economic Development & Jobs

The people of Frederick County need an economy that works for everyone. As County Executive, I will work every day to create that for all the people of Frederick County. 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-19. Our turbo fast-track permitting has attracted major employers like Ellume, Kite Pharma, and Kroger to our local economy. We must also remain committed to our small businesses.

  • • Revitalize the County Executive’s Business & Industry Cabinet to ensure diverse membership with the goal of receiving input from the business community, listening to concerns, and solving problems together

    • Add a small business liaison/navigator to ensure people have a point of contact throughout their entrepreneurial journey

    • Focus on support for minority and women-owned businesses

    • Ensure that our economy works for the 40% of Frederick County households who currently do not meet a survival budget

Public Safety

Police are human beings. So are the people they serve. It’s time our policies reflected that. We ask the police to make split-second decisions while handling mental health distress calls. Let’s give them the backup they need to succeed. As County Executive, I’ll ensure we’re hiring enough of the right mental health professionals, so police have support from experts who are trained to de-escalate these dangerous situations. We’ve already done this with real success in Frederick County, reducing repeat 911 calls and connecting people to long-term solutions and care.

  • • Support state and federal efforts on common-sense gun reforms that seek to end gun violence and recognize it as a public health crisis

    • Protect police officers with high-quality evidence-based training and mental health support

    • Fully fund mental health professionals in schools and decrease class sizes so youth have options and hope

Environment & Climate

The climate emergency is one of the most serious issues of our time. I will do everything I can to leave behind a livable Frederick County for our children and grandchildren. I will ensure that we manage growth in a way that benefits our families, businesses, and the environment.

We can preserve agriculture while incentivizing best practices that improve soil quality. We can accommodate new residents and businesses while utilizing smart growth policies that enhance our quality of life and protect public health. And we can build climate resilience while providing new workforce development and green jobs.

  • • Act on the recommendations from the Livable Frederick framework, as well as the Climate Emergency Mobilization Work Group Final Report

    • Ensure that we manage growth in a way that benefits our families, businesses, and the environment

    • S​trengthen farmland preservation while support farmers’ innovation, by enhancing grants, initiatives, and legislation that allow farmers to thrive as business owners who contribute so much to Frederick County

    • Build climate resilience while providing new workforce development and green jobs

Health & Public Services

We must work together to ensure that Frederick County is able to provide world-class public services for all of us. As County Executive, I will collaborate with public leaders to maintain, improve, and enrich the incredible resources that Frederick County has to offer, from health and safety, to housing, recreation, and human services. And I will not ignore the racial disparities in health, housing, safety, and educational outcomes that already existed, and were only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • • Recognize racism as a public health crisis and will work to address disparities in health outcomes in our community

    • Ensure safe communities by investing in fire & rescue services

    • Enhance our community partnerships by using public resources wisely and effectively in a manner that leverages the many successful efforts already underway by our non-profit organizations

    • Leave no one behind, including our county’s veterans, senior citizens, and people with disabilities

    • Continue my longstanding county leadership on human trafficking and domestic violence prevention efforts

Community Values & Quality of Life

Liberty and freedom. These two fundamental American values are worth protecting. I seek to offer hope, by taking action and standing up for our values. As a woman, a single parent, and an educator, I promise to do my part, and then more, so everyone can freely pursue happiness in their lives.

  • • Protect the people of Frederick County against attacks on their basic rights and liberties

    • Maintain and enhance our public parks, trails, bikeways, recreational opportunities, and community and senior centers that are essential for our growing number of young families, seniors, and everyone in between

    • Ensure that our public libraries and cultural spaces continue to be places of learning, refuge, and connection

    • Continue my long-standing commitment to Frederick’s immigrant and refugee communities

    • Listen to activists and community leaders on the front lines of our county’s pressing social justice issues

    • Continue our focus on broadband expansion to rural and suburban communities and utilize federal infrastructure resources wisely

    • Partner with and invest in our thriving arts community that helps residents feel a strong sense of place and belonging

What People Are Saying

  • Harry George, 2017 Forest Resource Ordinance Work Group; Frederick County Environmental Advocate; Past Executive Committee Member, Sierra Club Catoctin Group

    WHAT JESSICA DID BEHIND THE SCENES IS UNBELIEVABLE. She got Democratic and Republican council members, environmentalists and builders, all these competing interests together to legally protect countless acres of forest while targeting growth in ways that made sense. SHE IS AN OUTSTANDING LEADER

  • Lissette Colón, Community Advocate

    Jessica has been the kind of leader who truly has values and stands up to them. She has supported our community even when she had to go against the popular vote. I think she is the best candidate who can understand different perspectives and make balanced decisions for the benefit of all of us who live in this County.

  • Emily Snyder

    I met Jessica about 6 years ago while on an agricultural tour of Frederick County, and she has never forgotten that day, the takeaways, our conversation and more. That proved to me up front that she cares and listens, even in an area that isn't in her normal scope. Since then, she has always said "yes" to volunteering with organizations and groups I am a part of. She has reached out when she has questions about farming and when she is working to develop legislation that affects ag. She has personally came to visit, listen, and address issues when she heard our small business was having issues with County regulations. Jessica has my full support and I sincerely look forward to her leadership in Frederick County.

  • Desiree Tucker

    I'm supporting and endorsing Jessica because she's the most balanced candidate and a passionate warrior. She's perceptive and open to understanding others with different life experiences. Most important, she's willing to take action and come up with creative solutions so we can all move forward together.

  • Serina Roy, Dublin Roasters Coffee, Inc.

    Honest, hard working! Listens to issues that are important to Frederick County Citizens, and represents to the best of her ability.

  • Lindsay Mickey, Keymar

    Jessica has a great track record as a council member, supports our community with direct actions that have openly welcomed our most marginalized community members, as well as her significant experience as a Frederick County Teacher give her a well-rounded experience to be County Executive

  • Malcolm Furgol, Downtown Frederick Resident

    Excited to share that Gudrun Hofmeister and I proudly support and enthusiastically endorse Jessica Fitzwater for Frederick County Executive. From our perspective, Jessica is the clear choice to continue to lead Frederick County towards realizing our full potential, building on the great work of our current county executive. Our future will be driven by the success of our working families and the growth of our middle class. As the candidate with the most experience both serving and living that reality in our community, Jessica clearly understands the challenges and opportunities facing our households and how local government can best support them.

    This message and endorsement is made by Gudrun and I as private residents of Frederick County and does not reflect the views or positions of any organizations, businesses, coalitions, or committees we are affiliated with.

  • Dana French Captain, US Navy (Ret.) & Civic Leader

    I believe that post pandemic in the early 21st century, Frederick County needs to seize all of the opportunities that will be presented by the many changes in our world that are certain to come. That will require a leader/manager who is young, future focused, smart, a quick learner, a collaborator and comfortable with managing change. That person will know that even to protect & sustain the things we love about Frederick, some things must change. My friend of over 10 years, Jessica Fitzwater, is just the right person to help us meet these challenges successfully. She will work with us all to co-create the Frederick County that we want.

  • Yewande Oladeinde President, Association of Nigerians in Frederick

    Jessica is a progressive, forward thinking lawmaker. Given all she has done and continues to do for the immigrant community in Frederick county, I am in full support of her run for County Executive. She listens and takes prompt action on issues of importance to ensure all Frederick County residents are able to live equitably.

  • Myrna Whitworth Past Chair of the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee

    I am pleased to endorse Jessica Fitzwater to be Frederick County's next County Executive. Representing District 4 on the County Council for two terms, she has a proven track record for getting things done. She does her homework, listens to her constituents and acts with compassion and fairness. As a woman, a mother, an educator and a committed public servant, she is the most qualified candidate to lead Frederick County forward so that all our citizens may thrive.

  • Lakshmi Darbha President, Aavanee

    Ms Fitzwater has endorsed women-supportive projects such Human Trafficking task force, Domestic Violence Coordination Council in the county. Similarly, she was instrumental in establishing the Immigrant Affairs Commission keeping in mind the needs of Immigrant population. Our organization Aavanee, is a women’s organization and we are thankful to het for these Progressive efforts. Wishing her all the best!

  • Andrew St. John Brunswick City Council

    Jessica is the problem-solving progressive candidate that we need right now. Her experience as an educator and on the county council make her an ideal county executive.

  • Don DeArmon

    Jessica represents the future of Frederick County. She is exactly the type of young leader that we should be supporting, and I am proud to do so.

  • Donna Kuzemchak Alderwoman, City of Frederick

    Jessica has proven her support for education, sustainability and controlled growth. She is willing to look for new answers to old questions and always keeps her constituents' needs in mind. Jessica understands issues and does her homework before a vote. She has experience in government and realizes the purpose of government is to make peoples' lives better. Jessica has earned my trust, and I believe she is our best choice for County Executive.

  • Lexi Sassi

    Jessica has an open mind when it comes to the myriad issues facing law enforcement during this complicated time. She understands that the majority of officers joined the force to serve their communities and she wants them to have the tools and training to do that appropriately. As a former law enforcement officer whose husband still serves, I believe she will strike the right balance in protecting our neighborhoods and our officers as well.