The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Frederick County Building Industry Association and the Frederick County Association of Realtors, recently hosted a well-attended evening of candidate forums at The Arc of Frederick County. The event provided residents and business leaders an opportunity to hear directly from those running for mayor and city council about their priorities, ideas, and perspectives on Frederick’s future.
The evening was divided into three sessions: the Mayoral Candidate Forum, the City Council At-Large Candidate Forum, and the City Council District Candidate Forum. Each segment was moderated by longtime journalist Jack Murphy and featured prepared questions as well as audience-submitted topics. For a full list of candidates, please visit https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1786/2025-Mayoral-and-City-Council-Candidates
Mayoral Candidates
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The mayoral discussion covered economic development, growth, infrastructure, blight, affordable housing, and leadership qualifications. Blight refers to properties or areas that have become run-down, vacant, or poorly maintained in ways that negatively affect the surrounding community.
Candidates shared different views on Frederick’s business climate, with some highlighting recent successes and partnerships, while others pointed to challenges such as permitting delays and vacant downtown properties. Mayor Michael O’Connor emphasized that “the city is a really good place to do business” citing “a net 400 new businesses we’ve seen… over the last eight years” and partnerships among local agencies. Tom Trott raised concerns about the seemingly “arbitrary” city permitting process, citing the stalled Westridge Shopping Center redevelopment as an example. He also expressed concern over “second and third story empty buildings that have never been filled” in Downtown Frederick. Ron Beattie called for better coordination between the city’s planning and economic development departments, citing the Brick Works project as an example of a missed opportunity.
The pace of growth and its impact on infrastructure was another key theme. O’Connor said pace is “in the eye of the beholder” and stressed aligning new projects with the city’s existing comprehensive plan. Beattie thinks the city is clearly not keeping page with infrastructure needs, citing traffic issues around the recent Frederick Health Hospital helicopter pad project. Trott raised concerns about parking shortages in new developments, and agreed with the need to follow the comprehensive plan. Several noted the need for improved planning and investment in transportation systems, with Democratic challenger Ron Beattie suggesting smart traffic systems as a solution.
Blight, particularly in the downtown area, drew strong opinions. O’Connor pointed to the city’s vacant property registry and receivership ordinance, currently being used on a test case in court. Trott argues using this ordinance on one property at a time is “piecemealing this and pushing another problem down the road”. Beattie was unaware this ordinance applied to properties outside downtown but within the city limits, and stresses the importance of creative solutions such as affordable housing, especially along the Golden Mile.
On affordable housing, O’Connor highlighted the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit ordinance and rental licensing revenues, while noting the existing limits imposed by state laws on local revenue sources. Beattie criticised the city’s use of fee-in-lieu payments, saying millions have been collected without a clear plan for building more housing. Trott called housing unaffordability “a fact” and questions how much money would be left over to support affordability with consistent rental inspection fees. All the candidates addressed how rising property values affects long-term residents as well as young people looking to keep living in the City they work in.
The session concluded with candidates sharing their professional backgrounds and how their experiences would guide them as mayor, ranging from decades in public service to careers in business and nonprofit leadership.
City Council At-Large Candidates
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The at-large forum featured five candidates vying for two seats, discussing qualifications, priorities, business issues, growth, blight, and the city’s new charter structure. Candidates include Jennifer Dougherty, Donna Kuzemchak, Kelly Russell, Derek Shackelford, and Libby Taylor.
All candidates began with listing their top priorities and were asked to describe the major issues they believe are important to the local business community.
Kuzemchak listed taxes, affordable living, and finishing projects like Westside Regional Park as her top priorities. She believes “Money not spent for the benefit of city taxpayers needs to go back to those taxpayers.”
Russell named public safety as community partnership, sustainable development, economic growth, and accessible transportation as key goals. She also expressed concern about out-of-town, for-profit events on Carroll Creek Linear Park competing with existing local businesses.
Shackelford emphasized housing affordability, traffic and connectivity, and strong council leadership. He supports maintaining local purchasing preferences and the city’s minority- and women-owned business programs.
Taylor highlighted housing affordability saying, “everyone who works here should be able to live here”. She also prioritized child care access, and investment in neighborhoods such as the Golden Mile. She suggested city investment to help small businesses repurpose vacant spaces.
Dougherty prioritized an increase in fiscal discipline, building affordable housing, and revitalizing Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs). She called for a 90-day housing study and better tracking of the city’s 10% local contracting preference and greater predictability in permitting.
The business climate conversation echoed themes from the mayoral forum, with general agreement on the need for efficient permitting and support for local businesses. Some candidates including Russell and Kuzembak pointed to Frederick’s resilience and welcoming environment, while Taylor, Shackelford, and Dougherty saw room for improvement in outreach and use of incentive programs to recruit and retain local businesses.
On growth and infrastructure, most agreed the challenge was not the pace of development itself but the city’s ability to keep infrastructure aligned with it. Candidates also discussed the importance of collaboration with developers on infrastructure funding.
The topic of blight again surfaced, with ideas ranging from expanding the scope of existing ordinances to ensuring property owners are held accountable for long-term vacancies. Dougherty called current efforts “absolutely not” enough and urged faster code enforcement. Kuzemchak and Russell said the city is moving forward with its blight ordinance, with Russell cautioning against overreach. Shackelford supported the ordinance as a resident-driven solution. Taylor said more public updates on progress are needed to keep residents informed.
The discussion closed with views on the city’s new district-based representation model. Several expressed optimism that it will strengthen neighborhood voices, while others voiced concerns about potential division.
City Council District Candidates
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The final session highlighted candidates for the new district council seats, who shared their qualifications, local engagement, and top priorities for their specific districts.
Many candidates emphasized their personal connections to their neighborhoods, professional expertise, and commitment to responsive representation.
District 5: John Callahan, Sarah Hempel Irani, Ryan Trout
Callahan emphasized lower tax rates, more police patrols, and making Frederick affordable enough for young residents to return.
Hempel Irani highlighted her experience in collaborative community projects during her professional art career and interest in forward-thinking transportation solutions.
Trout cited his professional background in housing policy, including leading the county’s COVID-era emergency rental assistance program, and his focus on parks, schools, and affordability.
District 4: Freddy Ventura, Scott Lasher
Ventura pointed to his experience in his condo association and is looking to “shake things up” as a younger, more diverse voice to council.
Lasher stressed his business, legal, and nonprofit leadership experience, and the need for bottom-up planning and continued implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan.
District 3: Peter Brehm, David Schmidt
Brehm focused on political accountability through new district representation and using unspent city funds for direct resident benefit.
Scmidt cites his experience capacity to “get things done” while trusting expert opinions to help form a plan. He is running in order to increase equality across the city.
District 2: Cesar Diaz
Diaz emphasized listening to constituents and bringing resident concerns forward.
District 1: Katie Nash
Nash highlighted pedestrian safety, transit improvements, and shepherding recent charter changes.
Across districts, common themes included housing affordability, infrastructure, public safety, fiscal discipline, and stronger neighborhood engagement.
Closing Thoughts
The forums underscored both the opportunities and challenges ahead for Frederick. While candidates differed on strategies, there was shared recognition of the importance of thoughtful growth, a strong local economy, and maintaining the city’s quality of life.
The Chamber of Commerce thanks the Frederick County Building Industry Association, the Frederick County Association of Realtors, The Arc of Frederick County, the Frederick News-Post, and all attendees for making this civic conversation possible.
Election Day is coming up — make sure you’re registered and informed, and don’t forget to vote!
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.