Fitzwater and Holtzinger outline competing priorities at county executive forum

Frederick County executive candidates Jessica Fitzwater and William “Jeff” Holtzinger offered different approaches to growth, public services and immigration enforcement during an online forum Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The League of Women Voters of Frederick County hosted the discussion, moderated by Betty Mayfield. Candidates addressed 11 topics with two minutes for each response, according to The Frederick News-Post. Some questions were shared, while others differed between candidates.

Fitzwater, the Democratic incumbent, and Holtzinger, the Republican challenger, will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election.

Both expressed reservations about data center development. Holtzinger called for independent studies of water use, electricity, noise and revenue, questioning whether the county should rely on tax receipts from a rapidly changing industry.

Fitzwater pointed to executive orders pausing new applications and said she supports reducing the data center overlay zone after the next council takes office. She also called for broader county taxing authority over the facilities. Those remarks describe her position; they do not establish that the overlay zone has already been reduced.

On housing, Fitzwater said the county needs more options for current and future residents. She highlighted efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and make county-owned land available for housing.

Holtzinger supported accessory dwelling units as an affordability tool and called for streamlining approvals, including coordination on water and septic requirements. He also questioned whether water supplies could support the scale of housing growth discussed during the forum.

School funding produced a direct disagreement. Fitzwater characterized Holtzinger as supporting only the state’s minimum maintenance-of-effort funding level. Holtzinger disputed that description, saying his position was to require accountability and documentation.

Holtzinger emphasized efficient school construction and ensuring that budget dollars reach teachers and support staff. Fitzwater defended her administration’s education spending and said the state should contribute more.

The candidates also differed on immigration enforcement. Fitzwater emphasized trust between government and immigrant residents, voiced support for limits on local cooperation with ICE and highlighted a county immigrant affairs commission.

Holtzinger said people should be treated with dignity and that he did not want raids in Frederick County. He argued that limiting local cooperation could increase federal enforcement actions in the community. That was his assessment, not a finding established by the forum report.

In describing their broader priorities, Holtzinger emphasized public works and core county responsibilities. Fitzwater pointed to education, public safety, job growth, land use and services for vulnerable residents.

The League of Women Voters posted a recording of the forum for residents who want to hear the candidates’ full responses.