With the 2026 General Election approaching, Frederick County voters will choose the individual who will lead county government for the next four years.
On Monday, August 10, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Frederick County Building Industry Association (FCBIA) and Frederick County Association of REALTORS® (FCAR) to host the 2026 Frederick County Candidate Forum, giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates for County Executive and County Council.
The County Executive portion featured Democratic nominee and current County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and Republican nominee Jeff Holtzinger. Candidates were given equal time to respond to questions developed from submissions received through the three host organizations.
The discussion highlighted clear differences in how the candidates would approach growth, housing affordability, county spending and development regulations, while also revealing areas of agreement, particularly around workforce development, economic diversification and limiting the geographic footprint of data centers.
Here are some of the major themes that emerged from the County Executive discussion.
Different Visions for County Government
The candidates’ opening remarks established two distinct approaches to the role of County Executive.
Fitzwater emphasized collaboration and the role of local government in addressing community challenges. She pointed to investments in education, economic growth, land use planning, housing affordability, support for seniors and county employees as areas of progress during her administration.
Looking ahead, Fitzwater said residents should judge her leadership on whether county government remains accountable, transparent and fiscally responsible while continuing to invest in education, infrastructure, housing affordability and economic opportunity.
Holtzinger emphasized his experience as a civil engineer, attorney and former Mayor of the City of Frederick. He described himself as a “working county executive” and argued that county government should focus primarily on delivering core local government services efficiently.
He said residents should judge his administration on whether taxpayers receive value for their tax dollars and whether Frederick County maintains the quality of life that has historically made it an attractive place to live and raise a family.
Addressing Frederick County’s Housing Needs
Housing affordability was a major focus of the forum, with the candidates agreeing that Frederick County faces significant challenges but differing on the role county government should play in addressing them.
Fitzwater argued that the county can simultaneously increase housing opportunities and preserve agricultural land and open space by concentrating development in appropriate areas near employment and transportation.
She pointed to the creation of a dedicated housing division within county government and plans to build more than 150 affordable workforce rental units at the county-owned Prospect Center, with two senior affordable housing communities planned afterward.
Fitzwater also discussed first-time homebuyer programs, housing rehabilitation assistance, an expansion of the senior property tax credit and the House Keys for Employees program as tools for improving affordability.
She additionally called for examining county planning and permitting processes to ensure government regulations are not unnecessarily creating barriers to new housing.
Holtzinger placed greater emphasis on ensuring that housing growth does not outpace infrastructure.
He argued that there will be circumstances where the county needs to say no to development because of overcrowded schools, traffic or inadequate public facilities. He emphasized concentrating growth around municipalities and ensuring that water, sewer, roads and school capacity are available before additional development moves forward.
On affordability specifically, Holtzinger said government has limited ability to solve the problem directly. He suggested faster development review, potential adjustments to affordable housing fees and incentives for the private sector as possible approaches.
Data Centers: Agreement on Location, Differences on Oversight
Both candidates said they support limiting data center development to a concentrated area rather than allowing facilities to proliferate throughout Frederick County.
Their responses differed more significantly when discussing how the county should regulate the industry and respond to concerns from nearby communities.
Fitzwater pointed to actions taken by the county in recent years, including the Critical Digital Infrastructure ordinance, a data center work group, temporary pauses on certain applications and rezonings, the creation of an overlay zone and additional regulations addressing sound, light, vibration, backup generation, fuel storage and other impacts.
She argued that because the industry is changing rapidly, county regulations must continue to evolve. Fitzwater also said the county is negotiating community benefit agreements with existing developers to secure additional investments for affected communities.
Holtzinger agreed that data centers should remain concentrated within the existing geographic area but emphasized infrastructure capacity, particularly roads, water and sewer.
He expressed concern about the potential water demands of some facilities and cautioned against building future county budgets around anticipated data center revenue because technology and the industry’s economic model could change.
When discussing concerns from residents near data center development, Holtzinger argued that commitments made to surrounding communities need to be enforced. He specifically called for state-of-the-art air quality monitoring near facilities, particularly those close to schools, and said community benefit funding should first address the neighborhoods most directly affected.
Economic Development and Frederick County’s Business Mix
Both candidates identified Frederick County’s diverse economy as an important strength and cautioned against becoming overly dependent on any single industry.
Fitzwater pointed to life sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, value-added agriculture, craft beverages, small businesses and entrepreneurship as areas of opportunity.
She highlighted recent business expansion and agricultural innovation efforts while arguing that the county should continue investing in site readiness and workforce development to support employers.
Holtzinger also identified life sciences as an important opportunity and emphasized the role of agriculture in Frederick County’s economy.
He argued that the county should make it easier for farmers to pursue entrepreneurial and value-added business opportunities without encountering unnecessary regulatory barriers.
More broadly, Holtzinger emphasized making commercial sites realistically development-ready. He argued that employment areas need feasible water and sewer service and transportation connections so businesses can actually locate and expand there without creating unintended impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
Preparing the Workforce for Frederick County Jobs
Workforce development was one of the strongest areas of agreement between the candidates.
Both expressed support for career and technical education, Frederick Community College and stronger connections between education and local employers.
Holtzinger strongly supported additional investment in Career & Technology Center programs, arguing that students interested in careers such as plumbing, electrical work, automotive technology and other skilled trades need accessible pathways into those professions.
He also suggested exploring additional locations for career and technical programs to reduce transportation time for students in more distant parts of Frederick County. Holtzinger described Frederick Community College as an important resource for students seeking affordable education and career pathways.
Fitzwater described workforce development as central to economic development and said the county must prepare students as well as adults changing careers for local employment opportunities.
She pointed to ongoing collaboration among county workforce services, Frederick Community College, Frederick County Public Schools and private employers. Fitzwater also discussed a career and technical education feasibility study, county funding intended to support future programming and initiatives such as a biotechnology training program.
She additionally identified childcare availability as a workforce issue, noting efforts to train childcare providers and help individuals establish childcare businesses.
The APFO and the Pace of Development
One of the clearest policy differences emerged when candidates were asked about Frederick County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, or APFO, and its school capacity requirements.
Holtzinger opposed modifying the APFO standards in a way that would allow additional development despite inadequate school capacity.
He argued that weakening those requirements would cause the county to fall further behind on overcrowding. Instead, he said Frederick County should use its long-range planning to anticipate where growth will occur and construct school capacity earlier.
Fitzwater supported exploring a more targeted approach.
She pointed to the Livable Frederick Master Plan and South Frederick Corridors Plan and argued that a single countywide standard may not produce the desired results when some areas are intended for growth and others are not.
Fitzwater said she supports examining regional APFO standards, mobility fees and alternative requirements in locations where the county wants to encourage housing. She also emphasized the need for additional state funding to accelerate school construction.
Improving the Environment for Small Businesses
Both candidates acknowledged frustrations businesses encounter when navigating permitting and regulatory processes.
Fitzwater said improving planning and permitting was one of the issues she heard most frequently when campaigning four years ago. She pointed to the addition of a small business navigator and ombudsman to provide more individualized assistance to businesses navigating county processes.
She also discussed partnerships with municipalities and Main Street organizations and plans to expand opportunities for local small businesses to compete for county procurement contracts.
Holtzinger, drawing on his professional experience working with property owners and small businesses, said the county needs a broader cultural shift within planning and zoning.
While praising the small business navigator and ombudsman positions, he argued that county staff should be encouraged to help applicants determine how a project can comply with regulations rather than beginning from a position of saying no. He also said employees need confidence that county leadership will support reasonable judgment calls.
Different Budget Philosophies
County spending and property taxes produced another significant contrast between the candidates.
Fitzwater emphasized accountability and outcomes. She said county departments should not automatically receive the previous year’s funding plus additional spending and described efforts to require departments to demonstrate how expenditures align with county goals and measurable results.
She also pointed to Frederick County’s AAA bond rating as evidence of fiscal stewardship and emphasized maintaining high-quality public services while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars.
Holtzinger advocated for a stronger focus on what he described as core local government services, including roads, bridges, parks, water and sewer, waste disposal, land use planning, public safety and education.
He expressed concern about recent growth in the county budget and said his approach would resemble zero-based budgeting, requiring agencies and programs receiving county funding to demonstrate their value and provide transparency about how money is spent.
Property taxes were also a recurring theme in Holtzinger’s responses. He argued that rising property tax bills are making it increasingly difficult for residents, particularly seniors, to remain in Frederick County and said slowing those increases should be a priority.
Preparing for State Budget Challenges
Both candidates said they expect Maryland’s ongoing budget challenges could result in additional costs being shifted to county governments.
Holtzinger said that possibility reinforces the need for conservative county budgeting and a focus on core government services.
Fitzwater emphasized advocacy at the state level, particularly through collaboration with other counties and the Maryland Association of Counties. She argued that strong fiscal policies and reserves are also necessary to protect Frederick County when state decisions create unexpected local costs.
What Comes Next for Frederick County?
When asked what issue deserves more attention in the years ahead, the candidates offered different answers that reflected their broader priorities.
Fitzwater identified preparing Frederick County’s workforce for the jobs of the future. She argued that technological changes, career transitions and evolving industries will require collaboration among government, businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions to ensure residents are prepared for new opportunities.
Holtzinger returned to growth management, describing it as the county’s most significant challenge. He argued that sound land use planning benefits both residents and the development community by directing growth toward areas where infrastructure can support it.
He also identified property taxes as a major concern, particularly for longtime residents and seniors who want to remain in Frederick County.
Looking Ahead
The County Executive forum demonstrated that both candidates recognize many of the same pressures facing Frederick County, including housing affordability, infrastructure needs, workforce shortages, business growth and the rapid emergence of the data center industry.
Where they differ is often in the role they believe county government should play in addressing those challenges.
Fitzwater emphasized collaboration, targeted public investment, economic diversification and an active county role in addressing housing, workforce and community needs. Holtzinger emphasized core government services, infrastructure capacity, regulatory efficiency, spending restraint and managing growth within the county’s existing resources.
Those differences will give Frederick County voters a clear choice as they consider who should lead county government for the next four years.
The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce thanks FCBIA and FCAR for partnering with us to provide this opportunity, as well as both County Executive candidates for participating.
This recap highlights only a portion of the wide-ranging conversation. We encourage Frederick County voters to hear directly from the candidates and consider their complete responses before casting their ballots.
Watch the full 2026 Frederick County Candidate Forum on YouTube
The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce does not endorse candidates for elected office. The Candidate Forum and this recap are intended to provide information and encourage an informed and engaged electorate.
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.