YOUR VOICE, OUR FUTURE LISTENING TOUR RSVP
Running for County Executive in my home county of Anne Arundel is important to me. It's important we set our priorities the right way, by listening to the people who are experts of their neighborhoods; people like you.
This spring, I will be visiting libraries across Anne Arundel County for a series of community listening sessions. I'll share what I've heard so far across this campaign and during my 7 years in the Pittman Administration, and how it's shaped our priorities on traffic, schools, the environment, public safety, and affordability.
Then we'll open the floor to you for the majority of the agenda.
Mar 4— Deale Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Mar 10 — Brooklyn Park Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Mar 25 — Severn Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Mar 31 — Severna Park Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
April 8 - Annapolis Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
April 9 - Crofton Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Before you come: Check out my public priorities below. See what resonates. See what's missing. Then come ready to share, or submit your thoughts ahead of time using the RSVP form.
Building communities together starts with showing up and listening to each other. Hope to see you there.
James Kitchin
Candidate for County Executive
Building Communities
Anne Arundel County has always been a place where hardworking families can put down roots and build a good life, a place defined by its people, from the shores of the Chesapeake to neighborhoods across our diverse communities. That sense of belonging isn't automatic. It has to be built, protected, and fought for. James Kitchin is running for County Executive to ensure every resident can access the opportunities, safety, and quality of life that make this county special, whether your family has been here for generations or you just arrived yesterday. That means investing in our schools so every child can thrive, protecting the environment we all treasure, supporting working families, and welcoming our immigrant neighbors. It means building a county where we lift each other up.
Together, we're not just running a campaign. We're building the Anne Arundel County we all deserve, one that belongs to her people and no one else.
Guided by the 3 Pilars
COMMUNITY | EQUITY | ENVIORNMENT
TRAFFIC
Traffic is one of the most significant issues affecting our quality of life - it takes away time, pollutes, and divides the county. As County Executive, I will invest in the infrastructure needed to improve traffic flow and expand safe, reliable walking, biking, and public transportation for residents and commuters.
We will pass policies requiring developers to invest more in our transportation infrastructure when they build projects that add traffic to our roads. This must include investments in necessary pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure. Using community as a lens, we will prioritize safety on our residential streets so that children can play in their neighborhoods without fear of being hit by a car.
SCHOOLS
Our high-quality public schools and teachers are among Anne Arundel County’s greatest assets. They prepare our county’s young people to be productive, caring citizens. I am committed to upholding the Blueprint and investments in our educators, special educators, support staff, and learning environments. Our schools should prepare students to follow their dreams, whether in college, university, or the trades. We can grow high-quality, affordable opportunities for students through our Community Colleges, Apprenticeships, and paid civic opportunities like Service Year.
With the federal government actively dismantling the Department of Education, it is imperative that the local government holds the line and remains committed to investing in our kids.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Every resident deserves to feel safe at home, in their community, and wherever they travel in our county. My administration is committed to strengthening public safety in every neighborhood. We will ensure that residents feel confident in our first responders who stand ready to assist with professionalism, transparency, and a commitment to public service.
We will continue to build community partnerships that foster trust between law enforcement and marginalized communities. We will expand innovative approaches to disrupt violence before it occurs, treat gun violence as a public health issue, and invest in breaking the cycle of repeat offenders. These commitments will help us build an Anne Arundel County in which everyone can live their daily lives with confidence and peace of mind.
ENVIRONMENT
How we choose to develop, conserve, and care for our land determines the health of our air, our waters, and our climate. And I know that too many Black, Latino, immigrant, and low-income communities have carried the burden of past land use decisions that polluted their neighborhoods and limited access to nature. As County Executive, I will fight for a true No Net Loss of Forest law, invest in resiliency infrastructure to protect our most flood-prone communities, and expand public water access and green spaces in neighborhoods that have been overlooked for generations.
These commitments move us toward a county where every resident can breathe clean air, drink clean water, enjoy our natural spaces, and trust that their government is building a healthier, more resilient future for all of us.
AFFORDABILITY
Affordability is a whole-life issue for many residents in our county. Every resident deserves the security of an affordable place to live, access to healthy food, dependable childcare, and a fair shot at starting a business in the county they call home. Too many working families are being priced out of basic necessities, and local government has a role to play in changing that. This includes protecting our most vulnerable residents from rent gouging and bad faith actors, and expanding investments in eviction-prevention programs so families can stay in their homes. As County Executive, I will prioritize building housing that working families can actually afford, help bring grocery stores to neighborhoods that lack access to fresh, healthy food, continue to invest in our senior nutrition programs and senior centers, and expand affordable childcare options through our School Age Child Care and Pre-K programs. These commitments will help make Anne Arundel County a place where residents can put down roots, build wealth, start businesses, and raise their families without being cost-burdened.