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Three candidates vying for Frederick city's highest elected seat have never before sought a seat in the political arena. But, they all say that it's not about where you've been, politically, in the past, it's the vision you have for the future.

Some of the candidates who are shooting straight for the top seat do acknowledge that voters may be wondering why.

Democratic mayoral candidate and Frederick native Jason Judd has garnered the endorsement of some of Frederick's most prominent politicians, but said that he knows since he just moved back to Frederick in 2007, some voters may be asking "What's he all about?"

"I've worked around the country and around the world and I have experiences and ideas from working in those places that I can bring here," he said. "It's true — I've been away, but Frederick is always the place I come home to."

Judd is no stranger to politics, having been entrenched in Washington, D.C., for more than 10 years.

He said that observing the city's movement from afar has given him more than enough experience to move the city forward.

His background as a trained economist, former community organizer and current executive has given him the tools of the trade that he needs to vie for the mayoral seat, Judd said.

"The work I've done over the last 15 years has been about how government works for ordinary families," Judd said. "It's not a stint as an alderman or on the planning commission – this goes right to the issues that the city's facing right now.

"The experiences I've had in politics, working with complex organizations — you develop the skill set and judgment you need to run a city."

Clint Hoffman, a Republican mayoral candidate, said he'd be the first to step up and admit that not only did he shoot straight for the top seat, but he did so with no intention to win. He has no past political experience except a self-admitted disdain for the city's politicians.

"It's called ‘fed up' about what's going on for the last 10 years," Hoffman said of his decision to run. "I didn't think that I had a chance. But after going door to door, I've had more support than I thought I would."

This support, he said, turned his mayoral bid from personal to political and the towing business owner has now traded in his jeans and showdowns at City Hall for suits and YouTube platform videos.

Hoffman said he decided last year after a bitter debate about predatory towing in the city that he would run for mayor — a journey that started as personal and will end politically this fall.

"I know I'm disadvantaged," Hoffman said. "A politician knows what to say, they're good at it, and they'll say anything.

"I'm straightforward, shoot from the hip, and am just up front."

Hoffman said that he has surprised himself as he delves deeper into his political journey, even to the point of stopping short of becoming what he despises the most.

"I'm finding that I have to stop myself from making promises that I can't keep," he said.

"It's hard. That politician part of you wants to come out and agree with [voters] and say anything, and then I catch myself and I can't do it."

Chris Simpson, the last Democrat to join the ticket, said that he has found in talking with voters that his leg up in the race could be that he's not a known political mover and shaker in the city.

"One candidate, people don't even know who he is and the other, they remember — and not fondly," Simpson said. "So, am I at a disadvantage? In their little circles, yes; the rest of the city, no — and that's 90 percent of us."

Simpson said that as a native of Frederick and a business owner in the city, he holds the qualifications that make him a candidate with a solid political stake.

Citing Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger's win over Ron Young four years ago as evidence that a regular resident with a mission can win — even against one of the most endeared and well known mayors — Simpson said that he can't let his perceived lack of a political background hold him back.

"As far as not knowing the ins and outs of government … you got to crawl before you can walk and that's the approach I'm going to take," he said.

"Some of the best mistakes are the best lessons you'll ever have. Learning is an everyday process."

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.