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With the general election set for November 3, the Severna Park Voice asked local candidates to respond to the following question:
If elected or re-elected, what will three of your top priorities be in office?
Dave Crawford, Republican
For eight years, the same county council majority approved rezonings, took developer checks, and sent residents the bill.
Development and traffic: I take $0 from developers. Approvals will be tied to roads, schools and utilities that already exist — not promises made later. Every zoning vote and the donors behind it will be published in plain language.
Public safety: Our police department runs more than 400 officers below the level the county and the Fraternal Order of Police agreed we need. That is a retention failure, and it is fixable through competitive pay, lateral hiring, take-home vehicles and expanded academy classes. Sworn officers come before new administrators.
Taxes and fiscal responsibility: This council taxes and spends. The county budget has grown 62% since 2019, from $1.6 billion to $2.58 billion, and more than 1,000 positions were added to the payroll. Family paychecks did not. I will hold the line on taxes and work to lower them by auditing every department for duplication, bloat and padded vacancies.
Anne Arundel County needs a manager, not a politician.
Allison Pickard, Democrat
Councilwoman Allison Pickard is leading the charge to move Anne Arundel County forward. From building new schools and strengthening infrastructure to investing in first responders and protecting our environment, Allison has a proven record of delivering results for families and communities.
As county executive, Allison will make affordability a top priority. She will expand affordable housing options, work to lower the tax burden on working families, grow our local economy by supporting small businesses and attracting new investment, and champion policies that make it more affordable to live, work, and raise a family in Anne Arundel County.
Allison will also prioritize public safety by fully staffing our police and fire departments, strengthening emergency response systems, reducing response times, and meeting national staffing standards.
Finally, Allison believes every resident deserves a fair shot at success. She will improve transportation connectivity, strengthen public education, expand workforce development and job training, and strengthen the county workforce so your local government can deliver responsive, high-quality services to every resident, every day, effectively.
Amanda Fiedler, Republican
(Incumbent)
Affordability: The county budget is built on your tax dollars; I have opposed tax rate increases because keeping Anne Arundel County affordable is a priority. Government needs to make tough budget decisions just like your family does.
Opposing Overdevelopment: It has been an honor to serve the district I grew up in, which gives me a unique perspective of where we were and the direction we are going. This is why reasonable growth and development is one of my top priorities. In my time on the council, I have opposed legislation that increases density in residential areas by 50% or even more, because I know the impact it has on our roads and quality of life.
Infrastructure: Investments in critical infrastructure continue to be a priority. I have been a strong advocate for projects that improve our infrastructure, including additional pedestrian sidewalks in our communities and the completion of the Broadneck Trail that connects Severna Park to Sandy Point, and I have testified before the General Assembly for the restoration of roadway maintenance funds.
Natalie Ogilvie, Democrat
Responsible growth, infrastructure and affordable housing: Growth should come with the infrastructure to support it. I will work to modernize our adequate public facilities standards, align development decisions with Plan2040 and our region plans, and prioritize transportation, school capacity, roads, utilities and other infrastructure. We also need more affordable housing so working families, seniors and individuals can afford to live in the communities they call home.
Public safety: Our firefighters, emergency medical services, law enforcement and other first responders deserve the staffing, resources and support they need to keep our communities safe. I will advocate for responsible investments in public safety while pursuing sustainable funding solutions.
Strong public schools and a strong workforce: Our schools are foundational to our county’s future. I will support investments in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, our educators and school staff, and the resources students need to succeed.
Together, these priorities will help Anne Arundel County grow responsibly while keeping communities safe, protecting our quality of life, and making it more attainable to live and thrive here.
Jim Fredericks, Republican
Having more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, I am the only candidate to serve their entire career protecting Anne Arundel County communities. I had the privilege to serve as the elected sheriff from 2018 to 2022. If elected back to office, my priorities will be:
To once again prioritize community safety by stopping the ever-increasing number of unserved criminal warrants. I will reinstitute successful efforts that reduced warrants by more than 10%.
Reduce the wasteful spending that has ballooned the size of senior staff and appointed positions at the sheriff’s office, while there were no increases in deputy positions in the last four years.
Restart plans and programs to greatly enhance the safety and security of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Prior to leaving office in 2022, I had plans in place to institute a regional gunshot detection system that would have benefited the court and its surrounding businesses and Annapolis neighborhoods.
Everett Sesker, Democrat
(Incumbent)
If re-elected to a second term, I will continue building on our first-term accomplishments. Our primary focus remains expanding the sheriff’s office through fiscally responsible growth that maximizes taxpayer dollars while meeting the evolving needs of our community.
We are proud to partner with the Anne Arundel County Police Department, whose officers do outstanding work keeping our streets safe. Over the past 25 years, as our population increased by 22% that department grew by 170 officers to meet demand. Yet, during that same period, the sheriff’s office saw a net growth of only six deputies.
We process thousands of warrants annually, resulting from the excellent, proactive work of the county police. Our current understaffing is unsustainable. I will continue advocating to elected officials for the resources needed to support our police partners and protect our county’s quality of life.
I am deeply proud to lead the phenomenal sworn and civilian staff at the sheriff’s office who serve you every day.
Anne Colt Leitess, Democrat
(Incumbent)
The Voice could not reach Anne Colt Leitess before the deadline.
MK Fowler, Democrat
I am an attorney with over 30 years of experience in the Maryland court system. For the past seven years, as chief deputy clerk, second only to the Clerk of Court, I have provided access to justice to the community and as clerk I will continue to provide world-class customer service to all who come to the clerk’s office. As clerk, my top three priorities will be:
Customer Service: I have been a clerk’s office customer during my time as an attorney. I know how important it is to have a knowledgeable and compassionate clerk when dealing with the court system.
Access to Justice: As clerk, I will ensure that your papers and documents are quickly and accurately processed.
Efficiency: I will strive to make the process of obtaining business licenses, marriage licenses and land records as quick and seamless as possible.
Douglas Finbar Graham, Republican
The Clerk of the Court is a public servant. My goal is to make the office more public service-oriented.
I will explore ways to make the office more responsive to public requests - whether from members of the legal community, the general public or the media. I want to reduce red tape and complication to speed up responses, reduce operating costs, and improve security. I want people to be able to more easily access their records when needed, yet at the same time, prevent unauthorized access to that personal information by bad actors.
Jasmine Jackson, Democrat
(Incumbent)
I am the current Register of Wills for Anne Arundel County. I have proudly served in the Register of Wills office for 18 years. Before my appointment in 2024, I gained valuable experience working in every department within the office, including serving in upper management positions. This experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the probate process, the needs of our community and the importance of providing efficient, compassionate and professional service.
The Register of Wills office is an administrative office within the judicial branch of government, responsible for assisting families with the administration of estates after the loss of a loved one.
If re-elected, my priorities will be to continue modernizing the office, strengthen ongoing staff training to ensure the highest level of customer service, and expand community outreach. I want to help residents better understand the probate process, the role of the Register of Wills, and why thoughtful estate planning is an important part of protecting their families and honoring their wishes.
Jason Lambert, Republican
If elected Register of Wills, my top three priorities will be:
Providing excellent public service: The Register of Wills office should be professional, responsive and accessible to every resident. I will work to ensure that families navigating probate and estate matters are treated with respect, patience and compassion during what can often be a difficult time.
Improving efficiency and accessibility: I will support modern technology and streamlined processes that make it easier for residents, attorneys and families to access information and conduct business with the office while maintaining the security and integrity of important records.
Responsible leadership and accountability: As a business owner with a background in finance and public service, I understand the importance of managing resources responsibly. I will work to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, operations are transparent and the office continues to serve Anne Arundel County with professionalism and integrity.
My goal is simple: to lead an office that is efficient, accessible, compassionate and accountable to the people it serves.
Maureen Carr-York, Republican
The Voice could not reach Maureen Carr-York before the deadline.
Tony McConkey, Republican
The Voice could not reach Tony McConkey before the deadline.
Loni Moyer, Democrat
The Voice could not reach Loni Moyer before the deadline.
Matt O’Connell, Democrat
I’m running for Judge of the Orphans’ Court to serve our community, help my neighbors, and give back to the place that has been so good to me and my family. If elected, my top three priorities will be competence, fairness and civility. Our orphans’ court sits two days per week in Annapolis. As a non-partisan judicial body, the court hears and decides contested matters in the Register of Wills. Because the court sits as a three-judge panel, having people on the court who are civil, respectful and open-minded is vital. When we’re dealing with sensitive issues involving families, a judge must determine the facts, apply the law, and make a fair and impartial decision. A bit of compassion isn’t a bad idea, either. With our current register and the dedicated staff, we have the foundation to become one of the best and most respected orphans’ courts in Maryland.
Alan Rzepkowski, Republican
I served as a Judge of the Orphans’ Court from 2014 to 2018, and if re-elected I will bring to the bench that past experience and knowledge of Estates and Trust Law. There are issues that exist within the orphans’ court that will be improved with a new set of judges. My priorities upon election include a return to professionalism, principled integrity and honorable service that have been lacking in the past four years with the previous judges and previous Register of Wills. Another priority is to work with the Register of Wills office to reduce the number of estate cases awaiting a hearing and court decision. Third, I will bring back formal court decisions that were abandoned by past judges. Families deserve better from our orphans’ court judges.
Stacey Scott, Democrat
(Incumbent)
If elected to continue serving on the orphans’ court, my top priority will be to ensure that estates are administered fairly and according to the law so that heirs and beneficiaries receive what they are legally entitled to receive. Families often come before the orphans’ court during some of the most difficult and emotional times in their lives, and they deserve confidence that their loved one’s estate will be handled with care, integrity and fairness.
Second, I will continue to listen carefully and respectfully to every person who comes before the court. Every party deserves to be heard, treated with dignity, and given a fair opportunity to present their concerns.
Third, I will work to ensure that the orphans’ court remains accessible, efficient and responsive to the families it serves. My commitment is to approach every case with preparation, patience, compassion and impartiality while faithfully applying the law.
My goal is simple: protect estates, listen to families, and administer justice with fairness and integrity.
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