Get Real With SOMD Politics: Jason Fowler Outlines Housing, Infrastructure And Data Center Concerns

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — State Senate District 27 candidate Jason Fowler discussed his background, policy priorities and concerns about development in Southern Maryland during a recent appearance on “Get Real with Southern Maryland Politics,” hosted by Chris Hill, where he emphasized housing shortages, infrastructure strain and questions surrounding data center expansion in the region.

Fowler, who is running to represent Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties, said his interest in public service began early in life following a serious health challenge. He explained that a middle school head injury led him to think more deeply about support systems and civic engagement.

“How do we surround people with support when they need it?” he said, describing how that experience ultimately led him into student government and later advocacy work. Fowler said his involvement continued through adulthood, including work on issues such as environmental protection, police accountability and housing insecurity, and added that his decision to run for office is rooted in a desire to improve the communities he has lived and worked in throughout his life.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on housing affordability and what Fowler described as a statewide shortage that is affecting local communities. He referenced estimates suggesting Maryland is short roughly 100,000 homes and argued that addressing the issue requires coordinated planning rather than isolated development decisions. Fowler said housing conversations must also include transportation and infrastructure considerations, pointing to congestion along major regional corridors such as Routes 5, 210 and 301.

“We can’t just grow without planning,” he said, emphasizing that housing expansion without corresponding investments in schools, roads and transit would place additional strain on already stressed systems.

Fowler also discussed broader regional development concerns, particularly in relation to Calvert County’s ongoing consideration of data center projects. He noted that companies including Amazon Web Services and other developers have explored sites in the area, raising questions about long-term impacts on infrastructure and utilities. Fowler pointed to the role of nondisclosure agreements in early-stage discussions between developers and local officials, saying that while some confidentiality may be necessary, public trust depends on clarity and accountability.

“It’s a trust issue,” he said, arguing that residents should have a clearer understanding of how major development decisions are being negotiated.

Environmental and energy concerns were also central to Fowler’s critique of large-scale data center expansion. He said that current and proposed projects place additional demand on the regional power grid, which he argued ultimately increases costs for everyday consumers. Fowler expressed concern that residents are absorbing infrastructure costs tied to large corporate energy usage.

“We, the consumers, everyday people are paying for it,” he said, adding that rising utility bills are especially burdensome at a time when affordability is already a major concern for many families. He also questioned whether sustainability claims made by developers fully reflect the real-world environmental impact of water and energy consumption associated with these facilities.

Despite these concerns, Fowler emphasized that the three counties in District 27 share a number of common characteristics and priorities. He described the region as a mix of rural communities, small towns and growing suburban areas connected by shared environmental resources, particularly the Patuxent River.

Fowler said he has deep ties across the district, noting that he was born in Prince George’s County, grew up in Calvert and now lives and works in the region as an attorney with professional connections in Charles County. He argued that these shared experiences help unify the district despite its geographic and jurisdictional differences.

Fowler also highlighted his campaign’s emphasis on accessibility and public engagement, pointing to upcoming events designed to connect with voters outside of traditional political settings. He referenced a community cooking competition at Dreamweaver Café in Prince Frederick, which he said reflects his goal of presenting himself in a more personal and approachable way. He encouraged residents to learn more about his platform and participate in civic discussions leading up to the election.

Closing the interview, Fowler urged voters to evaluate candidates based on shared values and local priorities rather than partisan identity. He also encouraged participation in the electoral process, directing residents to his campaign website for information on events and policy positions.

Watch the full interview below:

About Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics

The interview is part of The BayNet’s new candidate video podcast series, “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics,” which features conversations with Southern Maryland candidates running for county commissioner, state delegate and state senator.

Upcoming election coverage can be found at https://thebaynet.com/elections.

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