County

County Executive, Frederick County

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The county executive runs county government day to day, proposes the county budget and appoints department heads.

Candidates Compare by issue

William J. Holtzinger

Republican

Civil engineer and attorney

The gist

Supports lowering tax rates as assessments rise (constant yield)
Proposes refocusing county on roads, water, parks, safety
Supports requiring data centers to bring own power, water
Supports fast-tracking permits for affordable housing
Opposes county involvement in federal immigration actions
Supports more county funding for senior in-home services
Proposes streamlining approvals for small and farm businesses

More about William

View sources (2)

Supports lowering tax rates as assessments rise (constant yield)
Two former government officials compete for Republican nomination for Frederick County Executive
News coverage · WYPR · May 18, 2026 · wypr.org
“If you don't adjust the tax rate down to meet the increased assessments, then you're increasing taxes”
Proposes refocusing county on roads, water, parks, safety
Two former government officials compete for Republican nomination for Frederick County Executive
News coverage · WYPR · May 18, 2026 · wypr.org
“wants to see more focus on roads, water, parks and public safety”
Supports requiring data centers to bring own power, water
Two former government officials compete for Republican nomination for Frederick County Executive
News coverage · WYPR · May 18, 2026 · wypr.org
“He also wants to see developers bring their own power and water to the table.”
Supports fast-tracking permits for affordable housing
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Some fast-tracking of permits could also incentivize builders to build more affordable housing units.”
Opposes county involvement in federal immigration actions
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I would focus on Local Government issues and not look to interject County Government into Federal Government actions.”
Supports more county funding for senior in-home services
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Although I am very fiscally conservative this is an area where the County needs to fund better.”
Proposes streamlining approvals for small and farm businesses
Two former government officials compete for Republican nomination for Frederick County Executive
News coverage · WYPR · May 18, 2026 · wypr.org
“He also wants to streamline the process for small businesses, particularly farm entrepreneurs, in order to generate more revenue.”

Jessica Fitzwater

DemocraticIncumbent

Frederick County Executive

The gist

Supports confining data centers to a single overlay zone
Proposes seeking state authority to tax data centers more
Proposes affordable homes on County-owned land, stronger MPDU law
Pledges to seek full funding of the school system budget
Supported a state ban on 287(g) agreements
Pledges to decarbonize County buildings and codify electrification
Pledges new senior centers and senior housing

More about Jessica

View sources (3)

Supports confining data centers to a single overlay zone
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“proposed an overlay to prevent data center sprawl, ensure they can't be built on 99% of our land”
Proposes seeking state authority to tax data centers more
Responsible Data Center Development
Campaign website · Friends of Jessica Fitzwater · jessicafitzwater.com
“Advocate for the authority to assess higher taxes on data centers”
Proposes affordable homes on County-owned land, stronger MPDU law
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We are prioritizing building housing on County-owned land, including construction of 150 affordable homes next to the Prospect Center”
Pledges to seek full funding of the school system budget
Strong Schools and Thriving Students
Campaign website · Friends of Jessica Fitzwater · jessicafitzwater.com
“Fight for full funding of the Frederick County Public Schools budget”
Supported a state ban on 287(g) agreements
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I actively supported state legislation to ban 287(g) agreements between the federal government and local law enforcement.”
Pledges to decarbonize County buildings and codify electrification
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will prioritize decarbonizing County buildings & codifying electrification measures.”
Pledges new senior centers and senior housing
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Frederick County Executive
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Maryland (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will continue to prioritize building new senior centers and investing in senior housing.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.