Frederick County Council Candidates

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes  "I have consistently voted for funding affordable housing initiatives in Frederick County, and I will continue to do so."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes  "True leadership means prioritizing seniors, low-wage workers, and those on SSI/disability. Frederick County must increase the MPDU requirement beyond 12.5%, close developer loopholes, and build a Housing Trust Fund reaching below 30% AMI. I support accessible policies; meeting people where they are."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes  "I'll fight for real housing affordability: strengthen tenant protections like rent stabilization & good cause eviction; eliminate developer loopholes like fee-in-lieu; and urgently look to use County land, County dollars and state/national programs to build deeply affordable units."  

• Eric Smothers: Yes  "I will work with our developers and business leaders to find reasonable solutions to our housing crisis. I believe we have to find new partnerships and developers both public and private. We can and should look at alternative ways we build housing for this segment of citizens."

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes  Yes. Frederick County's most urgent housing gap is at the lowest income levels. I will support targeted county investment, nonprofit partnerships, and federal tax credit programs to create deeply affordable units for households on SSI, disability, fixed, and very low incomes.

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes  "I'll fight for real housing affordability: strengthen tenant protections like rent stabilization & good cause eviction; eliminate developer loopholes like fee-in-lieu; and urgently look to use County land, County dollars and state/national programs to build deeply affordable units. "

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes  "I support establishing a County Housing Authority to provide housing opportunities such as subsidized units, social housing, community land trusts, and community land banks to ensure sustained, affordable housing providing our neighbors real pathways to homeownership."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  "Housing is a human right. It's as simple as that, and across the country we are failing the People. I will explore and support any policies that help rectify these failings."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes   "Frederick County has longstanding and effective relationships with non-profit and faith based community partners to address this and other challanges."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes   "Yes. If a congregation has the land and will to build affordable housing, I support dedicated funding and zoning pathways to make it real. These transparent partnership models stretch public dollars, build community trust, and responsibly maximize resources where they are needed most."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes   "These programs are a great way to create affordable housing- we get more bang for our buck when every unit within a property is affordable. There's great information exchange happening so we have an opportunity to build on this program across the County"  

• Eric Smothers: Yes   "I believe that some public funds can be explored to assist with affordable housing. We have to be creative on our approach to solving the housing shortages for our citizens. Together we can and should look at all of our options."

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes  Yes. Faith communities are trusted partners with land that could directly address our housing crisis. I support public funding partnerships that empower houses of worship to develop affordable housing, expanding supply while strengthening the community institutions that anchor our neighborhoods.

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "I support partnerships between Frederick County and faith communities to create affordable housing on suitable church and house of worship properties, while ensuring projects are thoughtfully planned, community-supported, and integrated with infrastructure, transportation, and local needs."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes   "I support partnerships with faith communities to expand affordable housing opportunities, especially when underutilized land can serve public needs. However, any partnership should ensure residents are never pressured to participate in religious activities or services in order to access housing."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  "My gut answer is yes, but I am hesitant to give public funds to any religious organization. Therefore it must come with absolute transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination requirements."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: Yes   "I support HB0711 because residents deserve stronger data privacy protections and greater transparency in how personal information is collected and used."

• Renee Knapp: Yes   "This bill protects the civil rights of immigrant communities and prevents potential immigration status data from being collected without permission."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes   "I support HB0711 to protect data. Transparent governance requires plain-language protections, county staff training, updated vendor standards, and a public complaint process. Private companies shouldn't sell sensitive information; residents must know who has their data and its accountability of use."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes   "We need all County departments/agencies to communicate updates to their data sharing policy for compliance with HB0711. It’s essential to the protection of our immigrant communities."

• Eric Smothers: Yes   "Yes I believe that personal information should be protected and not sold. That our citizens have a right to privacy and data should not be shared and unless it is for security reasons."

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes  Yes. Every resident deserves to access public services without fear that their personal data will be used against them or their family. I fully support implementing HB0711 at the county level and ensuring Frederick County's policies and data practices reflect its protections.

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "I support implementing the Data Privacy Act to strengthen consumer protections, safeguard personal information, increase transparency in data collection, and ensure residents have greater control over how their personal data is used and shared."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes   "Residents deserve strong protections over their personal data. I support stronger consumer privacy protections, limits on data-sharing, and safeguards against the misuse of personal information, including for immigration enforcement and other forms of surveillance."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  "Our personal data is just that, personal. Companies should not be able to exploit this data without meaningful consent and accountability. As tech becomes evermore woven into the fabric of our daily lives, it is the responsibility of the government to protect the People's civil liberty to privacy."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes   "I do support all citizens learning the English language." 

• Brad W. Young: Yes   "Have always strongly supported ELL through my time on the School Board."

• Renee Knapp: Yes  "The Board of Education would allocate this funding, but I would advocate for increased funding for ELL students."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes   "The Council controls the funding floor; I support raising it to meet actual needs. Funding ELL students is critical for equitable education. I advocate for transparent funding that directly provides classroom resources, specialized staff training, and modernized facilities so every student succeeds."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes  "I support increasing FCPS's funding for ELL students. I would also like ELL students' parents who want to learn English to access courses, so we should look at funding for FCC, Centro Hispano and AACF."

• Eric Smothers: Yes

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes  Yes. ELL students deserve the same access to education as every other student.

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "My husband is Haitian, and he has shared with me stories of how he learned English. Learning english is essential for immigrants and their transition into our community."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes   "For me, equity means meeting people where they are, whether that means ensuring language access, fully funding programs that support ELL students and families, or making sure no one is excluded from opportunity because of language barriers."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  "I want our growing multilingual population to have the necessary resources to thrive, especially and most importantly our students."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: No - I support civil rights for all people but if a person is in our country illegally and they commit a crime I do support making a decision if this person should continue to be allowed to stay in our country 

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes - Yes. Other jursdictions have passed such legislation (Community Trust), and I would support considering similar legislation in Frederick County.

• Tiffany Grant: Yes - Voluntary cooperation with federal immigration enforcement erodes trust and compromises community safety. I support protecting immigrant civil rights and limiting local involvement beyond legal mandates. Local resources must focus on community-centered policing, transparency, and protection for all.

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes - Yes, I support these policies and to enforce them I will advocate for processes to audit departments and agencies. We need to ensure compliance with policies that are designed to protect immigrant communities from having their immigration status weaponized against them.   

• Eric Smothers: Yes - America was founded and grew from immigration from a mix of many different cultures. I believe that we have to enforce our nations laws if they are equally applied to all. 

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes -  I believe all people, regardless of immigration status, deserve basic civil rights protections. Local law enforcement should focus on community safety rather than federal immigration enforcement, which helps build trust between immigrant communities and local police.

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes - On the Council, I will introduce legislation to limit all cooperation between public employees and ICE without a judicial warrant, strengthen protections around data sharing, and prevent federal immigration authorities from using public property for immigration operations.

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  - I do not want our local government and law enforcement cooperating with any sort of masked gestapo. At all. We're ending 287g. No ice in Frederick County! 

At-Large

• Jack Felton: No - I support helping all legal immigrants who have entered our country legally 

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes - Frederick County has many supports and they are expanding. I voted for funding in the FY 2027 for an Immigrant Community Liaison to be even more responsive to the needs of the immigrant community.

• Tiffany Grant: Yes - Our budget is a statement of priorities. I support funding language access, community navigators, and legal defense funds. Equitable access to services ensures community stability. Transparently investing in these programs strengthens public trust and ensures every resident is protected.

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes - Many immigrants feel unsafe leaving their homes because ICE and other federal agencies are terrorizing our immigrant communities. These investments go a long way in ensuring our neighbors that they belong to our community and we support them and their safety. 

• Eric Smothers: Yes - Access to citizens for legal defense, language and health and human services is important to all of us. We should not exclude those because of their social status.  Any polices should be reviewed and look at developing public and private partnerships.  

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes -   I believe all people, regardless of immigration status, deserve basic civil rights protections. Local law enforcement should focus on community safety rather than federal immigration enforcement, which helps build trust between immigrant communities and local police.

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes - I support funding legal defense resources, language access programs, and community navigators to ensure that immigrant families can safely access services and participate fully in our community. No family should be excluded from support, healthcare, or public resources.

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes - I was happy to support County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s proposed Immigrant Affairs Liaison position in this year's budget, which will help strengthen communication, coordination, and access to county services for Frederick County's immigrant communities.

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  - Again, I want all of our residents to have access to the resources enabling them to thrive. Our growing immigrant community deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunities to obtain the American Dream. 

At-Large

• Jack Felton: No - I support helping all legal immigrants who have entered our country legally 

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes - I would support the prohibition of using County owned land for ICE immigration enforcement operations.

• Tiffany Grant: Yes - Yes. Having testified for the City Values Ordinance, I support a local Trust Act to align us with Maryland's Community Trust Act. Provisions must require a judicial warrant for ICE detainers, ban status investigations by local staff, and protect resident data. Trust ensures public safety for all.

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes - Prohibit ICE from coming onto County property unless they have a judicial warrant; prevent privately owned property from being converted to ICE facilities; prohibit local law enforcement from supporting federal immigration efforts and/or asking detainees about immigration status. 

• Eric Smothers: No 

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes - Yes. I support a Frederick County Trust Act prohibiting county employees from inquiring about immigration status, limiting voluntary ICE cooperation without a judicial warrant, and ensuring all residents can safely access county services regardless of immigration status.

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes -   ex.  Direct county agencies to create guidance, signage, and reporting procedures to prevent unauthorized ICE activity, prohibit asking about immgration status during routine policiing.

• Jamie Shopland: Yes - I support exploring a Trust Act if it strengthens community trust and public safety while respecting legal boundaries. Potential provisions: limit voluntary cooperation beyond what's legally required, protecting access to services, and restricting unnecessary data sharing/collection.

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes - I would support and champion a Frederick County Trust Act that limits voluntary cooperation with ICE, restricts data sharing without a judicial warrant, and prevents immigration enforcement activities on public property. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in the community they call home.

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes - I would be happy to share a draft of my proposed County Values Act.

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  - Provisions I would include would be prohibiting any local law enforcement cooperation absent a judicial warrant. I'd prohibit the use of county resources for ICE enforcement and I'd make all governmental locations protected, like schools, libraries, and courthouses.

At-Large

• Jack Felton: No  "I welcome all immigrants who want to come to our great country. I just want them to enter legally and when they are here do not commit crimes."

• Brad W. Young: No  "While I do not support local participation in ICE enforcement activities, I strongly support a professional Sheriff’s Department focused on public safety, crime prevention, emergency response, and building trust within the community."

• Renee Knapp: No   "The County Council cannot decrease the Sheriff's Office budget by line item, and an overall punitive reduction without proper analysis could negatively impact public safety."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes  "Council holds the power of the purse. I’d start with formal dialogue, demanding the Sheriff put cooperation policies in writing. If voluntary, harmful practices continue, I would be willing to condition funding. Maryland bans 287(g), but sharing release dates is a choice, and a line we won't cross."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes   "Yes. In the League of Women Voters' public forum on May 18, I was the only Democratic candidate in District 1 to state my willingness to cut the Sheriff's budget for voluntary compliance with ICE. These policies need teeth if they are going to work, otherwise they are empty values statements."

• Eric Smothers: No    "Reducing the Sheriff's budget does not make us safer. It would possibly endanger our citizens at multiple levels."

• Jenn Alcorn: No  "Conditioning funding is not the appropriate tool. The right approach is establishing clear county policy through Trust Act legislation and direct engagement with the Sheriff. Cutting public safety budgets risks harming the officers and community members those resources are meant to protect."

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "I would condition or reduce funding if the Sheriff continues voluntary ICE collaboration. Local resources shouldn’t support civil immigration enforcement that undermines community trust, exposes the county to legal risk, or contradicts state law."

• Jamie Shopland: No   "Budget authority is for accountability, not political symbolism. If voluntary collaboration with ICE undermines community trust, public safety, or civil rights, I would support conditions tied to transparency, reporting, and measurable outcomes."

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes   "We need public safety that is accountable to the public. If the Sheriff’s Office continues voluntarily collaborating with ICE, I would support conditioning funding until those practices end. We must invest in public safety models that reduce harm and protect civil rights."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: No   "My approach is to pursue policy changes and accountability through legislation and oversight rather than using the budget process as the primary tool to address these concerns."

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes   "The State has spoken. The People have spoken. 287g is done. If the sheriff has a hard time comprehending the law, his budget will reflect as much."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes   "I co-sponsored legislation for Transit to remain fare free, and to have the needed funding to expand hours and future locations."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes   "Transit is only equitable if it runs when people need it. Paratransit hours stopping at 5 p.m. fail seniors, workers, and residents with disabilities. Expanding Transit Plus hours past 5 p.m. is an overdue, basic equity fix. We must fund reliable, accessible options for everyone."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes   "We absolutely have the need, particularly in District 1 as we look to add senior housing and facilities. I would like to explore how we can tie paratransit and general public transportation needs into the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance."

• Eric Smothers: Yes    "Yes, there are many municipalities and towns that are underserved by transit. We should look at expanded schedules for busy routes and during special events. "

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "Expanding paratransit hours after 5 p.m. improves access to work, medical care, and community life for residents with disabilities. Reliable evening service strengthens equity and independence."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes  "100%. Our senior community and residents with disabilities deserve reliable, frequent transit service that better connects them to healthcare, employment, and the broader community. Expanding Transit Plus hours helps build a more accessible and equitable county."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes   "I want our county to be as connected as possible. Providing these services, especially to individuals with disabilities is vital to guaranteeing a quality of life standard. Connecting our most vulnerable residents to their jobs, education, and health services is a must."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: No   "I do not support state-funded reparations, and instead support focusing on equal opportunity, education, and strengthening communities today."

• Renee Knapp: Yes  "I support examining how state and local land use and zoning policies can and have been used to deny opportunity for generational wealth building."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes   "The harms of slavery and segregation didn't dissolve; they compounded into today's wealth, health, and education gaps. I support state-funded reparations as a critical, long-overdue reckoning. We must intentionally invest in repairing these root causes to build a truly equitable community."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes   "Reparations is my highest hope for the United States! I would like to learn more about reparations programs and advocate in my local community whether or not I am elected to office."

• Eric Smothers: No   "On face value reparations sound reasonable but not when we have more important issues to address. Housing, seniors, public works improvements, etc..."

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes  "I support state‑funded reparations to address the enduring harms of slavery, segregation, lynching, and systemic racial discrimination. Repairing generational inequities strengthens communities, promotes fairness, and acknowledges documented historical injustices."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes  "This country permitted state-sanctioned racial discrimination that enriched white families for generations while disenfranchising Black Americans through slavery, segregation, lynching, and systemic racism. I fully support state-funded reparations as a part of addressing those lasting harms."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes   "Our country has a dark and stained past. The first step is to acknowledge these wrongdoings, both past and present, so we can introduce policies that invest in marginalized communities and close the racial wealth and opportunity gaps."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: No

• Brad W. Young: Yes  "Undecided, but open."

• Renee Knapp: No

• Tiffany Grant: Yes  "Ranked-choice voting reduces the spoiler effect, encourages diverse candidates, and gives voters a meaningful voice. While my direct authority over state election rules as a Council member is limited, I strongly support RCV and will advocate for its adoption to strengthen our local democracy."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes  "I support the work of RCV Maryland, I believe Ranked Choice voting helps strengthen our democracy, especially when so many Frederick County voters are non-partisan."

• Eric Smothers: No

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes  "I support ranked choice voting because it gives voters more meaningful choices, reduces strategic voting, and ensures winners have broader support. It can strengthen representation and improve election fairness if implemented with clear public education and transparent administration."

• Jamie Shopland: No  "As I indicated in the RCV questionnaire, I need more information about proposed implementation approach and how voters will be educated to ensure confusion is minimized. "

 -District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes   "I support RCV because it reflects the complexities of how people vote and allows residents to support candidates they truly believe in without feeling pressured to vote strategically.  It also encourages more positive campaigning and a more level playing field for all candidates."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes  "I support continued exploration and implementation where possible."

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  "Ranked Choice Voting helps level the playing field and expands voter choice away from the two-party flawed system."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes  "However, like foster care, proper vetting of those who homeshare would be neccesary for the safety of seniors."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes  "Home-sharing programs solve two problems at once: helping seniors age in place without isolation and creating affordable renter options. I support the infrastructure needed: matching services, insurance guidance, and tenant protections; to make these programs sustainable in Frederick County."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes  "I think these programs solve two problems with one solution- offsetting rising homeowner costs and creating affordable housing. In order to support these programs I think the County should create an Office of Tenant Advocacy. "

• Eric Smothers: Yes

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes  "These programs strengthen community ties, help seniors remain in their homes, and offer cost‑effective solutions for renters and homeowners when implemented with strong safeguards and support systems."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

 -District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes  "Programs that reduce social isolation, improve housing stability, and help people remain in their homes can strengthen both individual well-being and community connections."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes  "I support policies that responsibly expand these opportunities."

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes   "Home sharing programs can help with multiple challenges at once. They help our older population age in dignity. It increases available housing without new developments. And it helps renters have more affordable options while helping homeowners with financial stability."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: No

• Renee Knapp: Yes  "We have a responsibility to gather data and conduct such a study."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes  "What Frederick County carries forward from systemic racism isn't history, it's the present. A comprehensive study isn't about assigning blame; it's about understanding the harm so we can make it right. We must participate fully; understanding the damage is the first step toward repairing it."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes  "I think a study could help identify remedies that can be taken at the County level to address the cumulative impacts of harm perpetuated against African descended people in Frederick County communities."

• Eric Smothers: Yes

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "I support a comprehensive county‑level study to examine the historical harms experienced by African‑descended residents in Maryland. Understanding local impacts is essential for informed policy, accountability, and community healing."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

 -District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes  "Frederick County played a direct role in the enslavement and sale of African people, and we cannot meaningfully address present inequities without understanding that history. I support a comprehensive county study of harms, lasting impacts, and meaningful repairs and accountability."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes   "I believe policy should be based around data and evidence. A comprehensive study, a serious and honest assessment, gives us that data."

At-Large

• Jack Felton: Yes

• Brad W. Young: Yes

• Renee Knapp: Yes  "Several workgroups have been formed to address other County issues, and a workgroup formed to address this issue should absolutely have African American representation."

• Tiffany Grant: Yes  "The data doesn't lie: women and people of color are shut out of County contract dollars. This pattern requires deliberate correction. I support full funding for remedial steps and personnel. The NAACP and Black-led groups must be at the table for design and implementation. We need the will to act."

• Sam Newhouse: Yes

District 1

• Louisa Conklin: Yes  "Yes, there is a theory of design that I subscribe to called "design justice" where people for whom something is designed for take an active role in designing it. NAACP and Black-centered groups should definitely be involved."

• Eric Smothers: Yes

• Jenn Alcorn: Yes

District 2

• Shelly Beaird-Francois: Yes   "I support fully funding the Disparity Study’s recommended remedies. Addressing inequitable contracting requires dedicated staff, transparent implementation, and meaningful involvement of the NAACP and Black groups to ensure solutions are effective and community‑informed."

• Jamie Shopland: Yes

 -District 3 

• Christian Benford: Yes  "I support funding the recommended remedial actions and ensuring organizational involvement from the NAACP and other African American-centered community groups. Addressing disparities in public contracting requires accountability, sustained investment, and meaningful community participation."

District 4 

• Kavonte Duckett: Yes  "I support fully funding recommended corrective measures and ensuring impacted communities, including the NAACP and other African American-led organizations, have a voice in shaping and implementing solutions."

District 5

• Johnny Mercer: Yes  "This is a structural imbalance and it is the responsibility of the County to not just acknowledge the problem, but fix it. Including the voices of those most impacted is a requirement."