When I decided — after eight years of service on the Frederick County Council and 17 years as a music teacher with Frederick County Public Schools — to run for County Executive, I did so for a simple reason: to make sure that Frederick County remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
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. I am 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. As County Executive, I won’t back down from the tough issues that matter for our families.
Smart growth, economic development, affordable housing, equity. Those phrases may mean different things to different families across Frederick County – but we need bold leadership and decision-making that will make them a reality here in our community.
As the fastest growing county in the state, we must manage growth effectively, implement an economic development strategy that continues to attract high-paying jobs, and hold developers accountable for sharing the costs of new schools and roads. We also must continue to protect our rural landscapes with agricultural preservation programs, support our farmers and small business owners, and pay attention to the needs of our municipalities and towns.
Throughout Frederick County, we must prioritize housing that people can afford and that meets the needs of the almost 40% of Frederick County households that are unable to generate a survival budget, especially as costs of living increase.
As a two-term member of the County Council from 2014 to today, I took a special interest in our housing challenges with legislation to expand support for first-time homebuyers, to provide rental assistance, and to help seniors complete home repairs so they can "age in place." I also played a major role in the adoption of Livable Frederick, our dynamic and forward-looking growth strategy for Frederick County’s future.
As County Executive, I’ll continue to emphasize collaboration — to bring community leaders, business owners, environmentalists, and builders together so we can embrace opportunities and step up to challenges with effective strategies that will ensure local government is here to make life better for people.
The teacher in me will always work to give every child the chance to achieve their dreams. As a music teacher at Oakdale Elementary School for many years, I was privileged to work with so many amazing kids on a daily basis and watch them flourish and grow. As a County Council member, I’ve fought for improved teacher pay, for new schools, and for increased funding for Frederick Community College, where so many of our young people take their first step for higher education. As County Executive, I’ll continue to prioritize these investments in our children.
And my most important role, proud mother of Jonah, 6, and Jane, 3, gives me the strength and courage to fight for the things that make Frederick County a great place to live and raise a family — investing in our students and schools, growing good jobs, working on housing costs, and focusing on public health and mental health.
In the end, my candidacy is all about Frederick County’s future. I’m running for County Executive to make sure Frederick County provides the same opportunities for everyone in the years ahead as it has provided for my family and me. I hope you’ll join me in the fight for Frederick’s future!
Read other campaign articles by Jessica Fitzwater
(9/2022) 
