Jessica Fitzwater took the oath of office as Frederick County Executive on Monday, becoming only the second person to hold the position. She succeeds Jan Gardner, who attended the ceremony at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in a show of support.

During the ceremony, members of the 3rd Frederick County Council were also sworn in. New County Council Members Mason Carter (District 5), Kavonté Duckett (District 4), Renee T. Knapp (At Large), and Brad W. Young (At Large) joined returning Council Members Jerry D. Donald (District 1 – third term), M.C. Keegan-Ayer (District 3 – third term), and Steven J. McKay (District 2 – second term).

Among the new council members, Kavonté Duckett is the first ever African American elected to the Frederick County Council or its predecessor, the Board of County Commissioners.

County Executive Jessica Fitzwater will hold a public info briefing at 2 p.m. today, Tuesday, Dec 6