Maryland local trial court judicial elections, 2016

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2016 Local Judicial Elections

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Elections Information

Election dates • State judicial elections Poll opening and closing times

Maryland held general elections for circuit court judges on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on April 26, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was February 3, 2016. In Maryland, local judicial candidates run in partisan primary elections, where each candidate files for both the Democratic and Republican primaries. In the general election, however, candidates run with no party affiliation listed on the ballot. Learn more about this unique process below.

Vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointments, so elections are only held when incumbent judges are up for election. For this reason, there are no open races. Those hoping to be elected directly to the bench must challenge an incumbent. In 2016, 21 incumbent judges that were appointed in the past two years were up for election. Seven of these judges were unopposed, but 14 faced challengers. Newly-appointed incumbents sought full 15-year terms on the bench, as did their challengers. There were also five judges running for re-election that were appointed in 1998 or 1999 and won full terms in 2000.

For information on 2016 state appellate court elections in Maryland, click here.

General

Note: The races with larger, bolded text were the contested elections.

2nd Circuit, Talbot County (1 open seat)

☑ Stephen Hughes Kehoe (i)

3rd Circuit, Baltimore County (2 open seats)

☑ Kathleen Gallogly Cox (i)
☑ Keith Truffer (i)
☐ Leo Wayne Dymowski

3rd Circuit, Harford County (1 open seat)

☑ Kevin Mahoney (i)

4th Circuit, Allegany County (1 open seat)

☑ Jeffrey Getty (i)

4th Circuit, Garrett County (1 open seat)

☑ Raymond George Strubin (i)

4th Circuit, Washington County (1 open seat)

☑ Viki Marie Pauler (i)

5th Circuit, Anne Arundel County (4 open seats)

☐ Claudia Barber
☑ Glenn L. Klavans (i)
☑ Stacy McCormack (i)
☑ Donna Schaeffer (i)
☑ Cathleen M. Vitale (i)

5th Circuit, Howard County (1 open seat)

☑ Mary Morton Kramer (i)

6th Circuit, Frederick County (1 open seat)

☑ Julie Stevenson Solt (i)

6th Circuit, Montgomery County (3 open seats)

☑ John M. Maloney (i)
☑ Karla N. Smith (i)
☑ Harry Storm (i)

7th Circuit, Prince George's County (4 open seats)

☑ Herman C. Dawson (i)
☐ April Ademiluyi
☑ Dorothy Engel (i)
☑ Karen H. Mason (i)
☑ Ingrid Turner

8th Circuit, Baltimore City (6 open seats)

☑ Shannon E. Avery (i)
☑ Audrey J. S. Carrion (i)
☑ Michael A. DiPietro (i)
☑ Karen Friedman (i)
☑ Wanda Keyes Heard (i)
☑ Cynthia H. Jones (i)

Results

Maryland 5th Circuit Court (Anne Arundel County), General Election, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Donna Schaeffer Incumbent	22.59%	154,044
Cathleen M. Vitale Incumbent	22.32%	152,219
Stacy McCormack Incumbent	21.92%	149,500
Glenn L. Klavans Incumbent	18.62%	126,942
Claudia Barber	14.13%	96,373
Write-in votes	0.41%	2,807
Total Votes		681,885
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Official Results," accessed January 18, 2016

Maryland 7th Circuit Court (Prince George's County), General Election, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Ingrid Turner	22.88%	223,186
Karen H. Mason Incumbent	22.26%	217,164
Dorothy Engel Incumbent	21.48%	209,522
Herman C. Dawson Incumbent	19.40%	189,284
April Ademiluyi	13.61%	132,791
Write-in votes	0.37%	3,625
Total Votes		975,572
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Official Results," accessed January 18, 2016

Maryland 3rd Circuit Court (Baltimore County), General Election, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Kathleen Gallogly Cox Incumbent	51.18%	255,763
Keith Truffer Incumbent	29.17%	145,774
Leo Wayne Dymowski	18.88%	94,357
Write-in votes	0.78%	3,877
Total Votes		499,771
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Official Results," accessed January 18, 2016

Contested primary races

4th Circuit, Allegany County

One open seat	Democratic primary	Republican primary
Jeffrey Getty (i)	☑	☑
George McKinley	☐	☐

4th Circuit, Garrett County

One open seat	Democratic primary	Republican primary
Raymond George Strubin (i)	☑	☑
Daryl Walters	☐	☐

4th Circuit, Washington County

One open seat	Democratic primary	Republican primary
Edward Kuczynski	☐	☐
Viki Marie Pauler (i)	☑	☑

5th Circuit, Anne Arundel County

Four open seats	Democratic primary	Republican primary
Claudia Barber	☑	☐
Mark Howes	☐	☐
Rickey Nelson Jones	☐	☐
Glenn L. Klavans (i)	☐	☑
Stacy McCormack (i)	☑	☑
Donna Schaeffer (i)	☑	☑
Cathleen M. Vitale (i)	☑	☑

7th Circuit, Prince George's County

Four open seats	Democratic primary	Republican primary
April Ademiluyi	☐	☐
Herman C. Dawson (i)	☑	☑
Dorothy Engel (i)	☑	☑
Karen H. Mason (i)	☑	☑
Erik H. Nyce (i)	☐	☑
Ingrid Turner	☑	☐

8th Circuit, Baltimore City

Six open seats	Democratic primary	Republican primary
Shannon E. Avery (i)	☑	☑
Audrey J. S. Carrion (i)	☑	☑
Michael A. DiPietro (i)	☑	☑
Karen Friedman (i)	☑	☑
Wanda Keyes Heard (i)	☑	☐
Cynthia H. Jones (i)	☑	☑
James B. Kraft	☐	☑
Todd Oppenheim	☐	☐

Results

Maryland 4th Circuit Court (Allegany County), Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jeffrey Getty Incumbent	63.03%	3,551
George McKinley	36.97%	2,083
Total Votes		5,634
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 4th Circuit Court (Allegany County), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jeffrey Getty Incumbent	66.13%	6,211
George McKinley	33.87%	3,181
Total Votes		9,392
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 4th Circuit Court (Garrett County), Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Raymond George Strubin Incumbent	60.18%	1,162
Daryl Walters	39.82%	769
Total Votes		1,931
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 4th Circuit Court (Garrett County), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Raymond George Strubin Incumbent	55.74%	3,478
Daryl Walters	44.26%	2,762
Total Votes		6,240
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 4th Circuit Court (Washington County), Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Viki Marie Pauler Incumbent	65.98%	7,617
Edward Kuczynski	34.02%	3,927
Total Votes		11,544
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 4th Circuit Court (Washington County), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Viki Marie Pauler Incumbent	58.12%	10,279
Edward Kuczynski	41.88%	7,407
Total Votes		17,686
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 5th Circuit Court (Anne Arundel County), Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Donna Schaeffer Incumbent	20.29%	37,713
Cathleen M. Vitale Incumbent	20.00%	37,170
Stacy McCormack Incumbent	18.57%	34,509
Claudia Barber	13.78%	25,614
Glenn L. Klavans Incumbent	12.95%	24,070
Rickey Nelson Jones	7.46%	13,863
Mark Howes	6.96%	12,928
Total Votes		185,867
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 5th Circuit Court (Anne Arundel County), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Cathleen M. Vitale Incumbent	23.16%	40,094
Donna Schaeffer Incumbent	20.87%	36,142
Stacy McCormack Incumbent	20.33%	35,207
Glenn L. Klavans Incumbent	18.66%	32,304
Mark Howes	7.17%	12,419
Claudia Barber	5.40%	9,357
Rickey Nelson Jones	4.40%	7,617
Total Votes		173,140
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 7th Circuit Court (Prince George's County), Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Karen H. Mason Incumbent	20.77%	89,542
Ingrid Turner	19.48%	83,960
Dorothy Engel Incumbent	19.35%	83,416
Herman C. Dawson Incumbent	16.58%	71,472
April Ademiluyi	11.94%	51,485
Erik H. Nyce Incumbent	11.88%	51,193
Total Votes		431,068
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 7th Circuit Court (Prince George's County), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Dorothy Engel Incumbent	20.26%	6,535
Karen H. Mason Incumbent	19.57%	6,311
Herman C. Dawson Incumbent	17.43%	5,621
Erik H. Nyce Incumbent	17.34%	5,594
Ingrid Turner	15.57%	5,022
April Ademiluyi	9.83%	3,170
Total Votes		32,253
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 8th Circuit Court (Baltimore City), Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Shannon E. Avery Incumbent	16.59%	81,236
Cynthia H. Jones Incumbent	15.32%	74,999
Karen Friedman Incumbent	14.64%	71,697
Wanda Keyes Heard Incumbent	14.38%	70,421
Audrey J. S. Carrion Incumbent	13.63%	66,718
Michael A. DiPietro Incumbent	13.18%	64,554
James B. Kraft	6.74%	33,011
Todd Oppenheim	5.52%	27,023
Total Votes		489,659
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Maryland 8th Circuit Court (Baltimore City), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Michael A. DiPietro Incumbent	16.63%	4,902
Shannon E. Avery Incumbent	14.79%	4,359
Karen Friedman Incumbent	12.41%	3,656
Cynthia H. Jones Incumbent	12.24%	3,608
Audrey J. S. Carrion Incumbent	12.09%	3,563
James B. Kraft	11.34%	3,341
Wanda Keyes Heard Incumbent	10.29%	3,033
Todd Oppenheim	10.20%	3,006
Total Votes		29,468
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Judge of the Circuit Court," May 31, 2016

Circuit map

Issues

Debate over election process

Methods of judicial selection
Election methods
Partisan election
Nonpartisan election
Michigan method
Retention election
Assisted appointment
Assisted appointment
Bar-controlled commission
Governor-controlled commission
Hybrid commission
Direct appointment
Court appointment
Gubernatorial appointment
Legislative election
Municipal government selection

In Maryland—and all across the country—lawmakers, judges, lawyers and citizens have disagreed over the merits of different ways to select judges. Some approve of the competitive elections for the state's circuit judges, while some advocate for change.

The Maryland State Bar Association published a press release on March 8, 2016, in support of the incumbent judges running for election. In tandem with its support, the bar emphasized its objection to the elections in general. Below is an excerpt:

“	While the Association supports Mary­land's sitting judges, it thoroughly opposes the process of contested judicial elections for the state's circuit court judges. The outstanding ex­pense of these campaigns extends well beyond dollar amounts as they essentially drive sitting judges into the political fray, potentially com­promising the independence and impartiality of the state's judiciary while undermining the public's faith in our court system. Moreover, when challenged, appointed jurists are forced to spend considerable amounts of time and money in an effort to retain their positions, dividing their attention between judicial responsibilities and campaigning.	”
—Maryland State Bar Association

In February 2016, state legislators proposed four amendments to the Maryland Constitution related to the election process. The four nearly-identical bills sought to change the law so that newly-appointed circuit court judges would run in retention elections instead of competitive ones. In retention elections, voters choose "yes" or "no" to the question of whether the judge should be retained for another term. One proposal differed slightly, in that a judge would have to run in a competitive election if his or her initial appointment was not confirmed by the senate with over 80 percent of the vote.

Testimonies were given in support of and opposing the bills. Donna Hill Staton, a former judge who was appointed by Gov. Parris Glendening and then defeated in a highly contentious election in 1996, supported the bills. She said her race was "widely perceived as one of the most ugliest judicial campaigns that Maryland has ever seen." Former judge Billy Murphy opposed the bills. In 1980, he was a challenger that defeated an incumbent judge. He said that the elections promote diversity on the bench and that he ran for that reason. "And I told Gov. Hughes, that if he did not appoint both of the blacks on the list who were highly qualified, that I was going to give up my career, which was very successful at the time -- because that’s how strongly I felt about it, and I was going to run on that single principle, and fortunately it resonated with the citizens of Baltimore," he said.

The Judiciary Committee issued unfavorable reports and the bills were killed in March. This debate has been going on in the state for over 20 years and with no change occurring in 2016, it will continue to rage on.

Caroline County election cancelled

Judge Karen A. Murphy Jensen of the Second Circuit Court filed on December 31, 2015, to run for re-election in 2016. On February 5, 2016, she withdrew from the race. It was unknown at the time of her withdrawal whether the election would still be held between the two challengers, Nicholas Iliff and Jonathan Newell, or whether the governor would appoint someone to the vacancy.

On February 12, the Maryland State Board of Elections announced that the election for Murphy's seat would be cancelled. Instead, Governor Larry Hogan would appoint a successor to a two-year term who would run in the 2018 election.

After the cancellation, Jonathan Newell posted on his campaign website, "I will seek the appointment, and meanwhile I will continue with my campaign, as the day will (eventually) come when the citizens of Caroline County will be voting for their next Circuit Court Judge, and I will be asking you to cast your vote for me at that time."

Nicholas Iliff also made a statement: "I intend to apply and look forward to the Judicial Nominating Committee's vetting process. I am confident that they will select the most qualified applicants for the position and that Governor Hogan will make the right choice for our county. I would like to thank the people of Caroline County for the tremendous outpouring of support during this campaign."

Election rules

Primary election

Circuit and orphans' court judges compete in a partisan primary for the Republican and/or Democratic nomination. Candidates cross-file with both parties. The candidates who receive the most votes from each primary advance to the general election to compete against each other, as well as any minor party or independent candidates.

An example of the elections process for the circuit courts is provided by the Maryland State Board of Elections:

“	In Circuit X, there are two incumbent judges who must stand for election. They are candidates A and B, a Democrat and Republican respectively. They both file Certificates of Candidacy to appear on both the Democratic and Republican Primary ballots. Candidate C, a Democrat and qualified member of the Bar also files a Certificate of Candidacy to appear on both the Democratic and Republican primary ballots. In the primary election, the Democratic Party selects candidates A and C (i.e. those two candidates received the most votes) and the Republican Party selects candidates A and B. In the general election candidates A, B, and C all will appear on the ballot since they each won one or both of the primary elections in which they appeared on the ballot. On the general election ballot, in addition to candidates A, B, and C, candidate D will also appear on the ballot. Candidate D is a member of the Green Party and a qualified member of the Bar and received the Green Party's nomination. The two candidates who receive the most votes will be elected to office.	”
—Maryland State Board of Elections

General election

Trial court judge candidates who advanced from the partisan primary run in the general election without party affiliation.

Judicial selection method

See also: Assisted appointment

The 152 judges of the eight Maryland circuits are chosen by the governor with help from a nominating commission. The judges of this court do not need to be confirmed by the Maryland State Senate.

Circuit judges serve for one year, after which they must run in nonpartisan elections if they wish to continue serving. If re-elected, they serve for 15 years.

The chief judge of each circuit court is chosen by seniority.

Qualifications
To join either of these courts, a judge must be:

• a U.S. and state citizen;
• a registered state voter;
• a state resident for at least five years;
• a circuit resident for at least six months;
• a state bar member;
• at least 30 years old; and
• under the age of 70 (retirement at 70 is mandatory).

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Maryland judicial election. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Maryland local trial court judicial elections, 2016 - Google News

See also

• Judicial elections, 2016
• Maryland judicial elections
• Judicial selection in Maryland

External links

• Maryland State Board of Elections, "2016 Candidate Listing: Judge of the Circuit Court"

Footnotes

Maryland courts

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Federal courts:

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Maryland • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Maryland

State courts:

Maryland Supreme Court • Appellate Court of Maryland • Maryland District Courts • Maryland Circuit Courts • Maryland Orphans' Court

State resources:

Courts in Maryland • Maryland judicial elections • Judicial selection in Maryland