Candidates Talk Future
Frederick’s political scene was busy this past week, with candidates for both the city and county races holding events, making announcements and raising campaign dollars. A common theme among most of them was making Frederick city and county a healthy, safe, prosperous and affordable place to live.
Frederick City Candidates
Hayden Duke
Hayden Duke is the first Republican hopeful to file as a candidate for Frederick city alderman, but he knows he is not the last. “There's nothing to worry about,” Duke said in an email. “We will have at least five strong candidates for the primary and five excellent ones for the general. If this were July 2nd I might be worried, but not now.”
Duke, who is completing his teaching certification to be an elementary school teacher, has been spending a lot of time with the younger generation as a substitute teacher. “Every day I am in the classroom I see the future, I see students who, 10 to 15 years from now will have the decision to make whether to stay in Frederick or take their talent, ambition and dreams elsewhere. I want to help shape that future; I want the City they see then to be one that will be affordable, one that will be dynamic and forward thinking, one that will continue to celebrate blessed diversity and one that will value their hard earned money as much as they do.”
After being defeated in the 2013 alderman race, Duke said he’s widened his circle of supporters and plans to work even harder to win votes this time around. He’s holding a fundraiser at the Flying Dog on June 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., but plans a formal announcement for the public soon. [Photo above courtesy of Garth Phoebus.]
Roger Wilson
Aldermanic hopeful Roger Wilson welcomed 60 supporters on Saturday, May 13, formally kicking off his campaign at the Dearbought Association Club House. Wilson, the director of government affairs and public policy for Frederick County, said on his website that he is focused on “fiscal responsibility, managing growth and infrastructure improvements, and building a diverse and forward-thinking economy that will benefit all the citizens of Frederick.”
Wilson is the eighth Democrat to file his candidacy for the 2017 city election. He previously ran and lost a bid for state delegate in District 3A in 2014. Read more about him and his “New Voice, New Vision” campaign here.
Republicans for County Executive
Regina Williams
Regina Williams, former budget officer for Frederick County, held a soft launch for her campaign for county executive Thursday, May 12 at the J Bar Ranch W in Union Bridge.
A certified public accountant, Williams holds a master’s degree in accounting and financial management. She currently works for Business Management Company, Inc.
Williams, a Republican, has never run for public office, and told the assembled crowd that a victory will take “a grassroots effort never before seen.” For her full speech, read here.
“Education and public safety are a top priority. I want my daughter and your children to have a top notch education and to grow up in a safe community. I want my daughter to someday be able to afford buy a home in Frederick County, and to start her own business if she chooses,” Williams told an enthusiastic crowd.
Her mother, the founder of the nonprofit Patti Pollatos Fund, is her campaign manager, and Brett Hess, president of BMC, is campaign treasurer. Williams is holding a fundraiser on June 9 at the Liberty Volunteer Fire Company at 6 p.m. She plans to have a Facebook page and website up soon.
So far, Williams will face Frederick County Council member Kirby Delauter in the Republican primary. State delegate Kathy Afzali (R-Dist. 4) is a rumored candidate for the county exective seat, too, but has not made a formal announcement.
Kirby Delauter
Kicking off his campaign Saturday at his business, WF Delauter & Son in Emmitsburg, Frederick County Council member Kirby Delauter (R) is anxious to see his nemesis, County Executive Jan Gardner (D), unseated in 2018. The post of county executive has a two-term limit. Gardner has yet to announce her candidacy, but will likely run for a second term in 2018. [Photo, left, courtesy of Jamie Rose]
Delauter said he had about 300 supporters at his event. His platform is short and sweet: ensuring Frederick County doesn’t become a sanctuary county; building elementary schools; supporting fire and rescue services, including volunteer companies; and expanding the senior tax credit.
