Frederick County Democrats Prepare for 2014 Election

George Wenschhof

Myrna Whitworth

After, a disastrous 2010 election for local Democrats who saw only two Democrats elected from over twenty local offices on the ballot, Frederick County, Maryland Democrats are focused on gains in 2014.

Myrna Whitworth, chair of the Frederick County Democratic state central committee, shared with me their preparations for the upcoming election, during a recent interview.

She acknowledged her disappointment there were no Democrats who ran for sheriff, state’s attorney or register of wills in 2010. She said they were hopeful there would be Democratic candidates for every position in 2014 and were doing what they can to help them be competitive.

Whitworth spoke enthusiastically about the all day training class they held last month for 35 potential candidates.  The comprehensive training was geared to help demystify the campaign process with experts sharing their knowledge on different areas surrounding running for office.

Travis Tazelaar, City of Baltimore, Office of Policy and Communications spoke on making the decision to run, how to file, make a campaign plan and plan your announcement.

Fundraising and voter targeting was covered by; J.R. Lentini, Senior Vice President for Communications, Bulldog Finance Group and David Goodman, Partner, TruBlu Politics, spoke on messaging and social media.

Myrna Whitworth tells me that early next year the central committee will also hold a retreat to develop plans for the upcoming election. 

She pointed out the central committee has 12 elected members who are determined by Democratic voters in the primary election held on June 24, 2014.  Their by-laws required gender balance so voters will be electing 6 women and 6 men.

With, the general election immediately facing the newly elected central committee, she believes it is important to the have the framework of a plan to assist Democratic candidates in place, which is what they will develop during their retreat in January.

The Frederick County ballot will be full.  At the top of ballot will be Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller. There are also two congressional races and eight races for the statehouse delegation in district 3 and 4.

The change to charter government will go into effect with the 2014 election when voters will elect a county executive and a seven member council.  The council will have five members elected by districts and two members elected at large.

In addition to electing a sheriff, state’s attorney, and register of wills, voters will elect a clerk of the court and three orphans court judges.

Myrna Whitworth told me the central committee will be equally supportive of Democratic candidates who run in contested races in the primary election and will not take sides.

In addition to developing their plan to help candidates, the central committee will also be holding, prior to the primary election, their annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner. This event has become a major fundraiser for them.

The bulk of the support to candidates from the central committee will come following the primary election on June 24.

Whitworth shared with me there are currently two open positions on the central committee resulting from the resignations of two male members and per their by-laws on gender balance, the committee is soliciting applications from males who are registered Democrats and Frederick County residents to replace them.

Applications should be mailed to Frederick County Democratic Central Committee, PO Box 793, Frederick MD 21705; or you may email them to fc.demcc@gmail.com. Deadline for submission is Monday, December 16.

Interviews will take place on December 18 and the selections made the same day.

The general election will be held on November 4, 2014.

Stay tuned.

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Obama Weekly Address

George Wenschhof




In this week's address, President Obama says that before Congress leaves for vacation, they should extend unemployment benefits for 1.3 million hardworking Americans who will lose this lifeline at the end of the year.

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Republican Weekly Address

George Wenschhof

Ellmers repeated the GOP's call to repeal or delay the Affordable Care Act. 

“That’s why the House has passed legislation to delay the individual mandate for all Americans and let you keep the plan you like.  These proposals are among the dozens of House-passed jobs bills awaiting action in the Democratic-run Senate. Leaders there, however, continue to stand in the way of the American people,” she said.

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Fitzwater to Run For County Council

George Wenschhof

Jessica Fitzwater

Frederick County voters will elect, for the first time, a county executive and a seven member council when the change to charter government takes place in the 2014 election.

Local educator and Democrat Jessica Fitzwater wants to be a member of the council representing district 4. The council will be made up of five members elected by districts and two members elected at-large.

She has filed a candidate committee; Friends of Jessica Fitzwater with the state and intends to officially file her candidacy within the next couple of weeks.

We sat down recently and during my one hour interview, she shared with me why she wants to be elected.

Jessica, who teaches music at Oakdale Elementary School, told me her interest in politics started early when she was active in student government while attending St. Marys College.  When she began her professional career she became a member of the Frederick County Young Democrats, joined the League of Women Voters and became active in advocating for education issues.  The latter interest led her to get actively involved in the Frederick County Teachers Association, where she currently serves on their board of directors.

On her campaign website; www.jessicafitzwater.com, she writes about how she will stand strong for schools, bring back culture of respect and open government, advocate for responsible growth and strive to maintain and improve the quality of life.

During my interview, she spoke of the importance of having diversity on the council and how excited she was about having an opportunity to serve.  She believes she will bring a new voice and fresh perspective and is looking forward to working with the other members of the board and the county executive.

When we discussed the checks and balances in the new charter between the county executive and council, she said time will tell on how well the budget power relationship works between the two.  The current language does not allow the council to add funds to the overall budget or a line item within the budget.  This relationship, may be a concern for her as she pointed to the current board of county commissioners funding education at the minimum maintenance of effort level.  She believes schools need to be as good as they can be which will encourage folks to want to live here.

In regard to the county executive, Jessica told me she was supporting Democratic candidate Jan Gardner who she feels relates well with people, has the experience, vision and record for the position.

On my facebook page, I asked for questions for Jessica Fitzwater and Valarie Dale asked “What is her vision for the future of Frederick County?  Jessica said she wants to maintain the quality of life and make sure it is there for everyone.  She wants quality schools, affordable homes and Frederick County to continue to be a tourism draw and a place you can call home.

Fitzwater told me she was concerned citizens were feeling they do not have a part in the process when they felt their voices were not heard during recent public testimony on the proposed sale of the Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center and Montevue Assisted Care facilities and the proposed Monrovia town center development. 

She wants people to feel they have a voice in government and would like to see the county look into having community roundtable discussions on issues and use social media tools to facilitate input from voters.

Rita Gordon shared on my facebook page she wanted to know her position on the need for infrastructure.  Jessica said the county needs to work with the state delegation and hopefully, combined with the county executive having a seat at the table in Annapolis; the county will receive their share of state funds.

She added she would not support the elimination of the impact fee and that she needs to find out more about the transfer tax before she weighs in on it.

When I asked her about issues directing impacting the voters in district 4, she said she is planning meet and greets throughout the district to hear their concerns.

The 4th district includes the eastern side of downtown Frederick, Worman's Mill, Dearbought, Mt. Pleasant, most of Lake Linganore, Spring Ridge, Crestwood, most of Ballenger Creek, and the southern part of downtown Frederick.  

Frederick County elections director Stuart Harvey sent me the voter registration breakdown for the county as of December 4, 2013.  District 4 has a total of 28,789 voters with 12,287 Democrats, 9,662 Republicans and 6,564 Unaffiliated.

The deadline for candidates to file for office in the 2014 election is February 25, 2015.  The primary election will be held on June 24 and the general election will take place on November 4.

Stay tuned.

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