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The focus of the '''Maryland judicial elections''' in 2014 was the trial courts. Judges of the circuit and orphans' courts competed in partisan primaries and then a nonpartisan general election in 2014. Though the primaries were partisan, candidates could cross-file with both major parties.
The focus of the '''Maryland judicial elections''' in 2014 was the trial courts. Judges of the circuit and orphans' courts competed in partisan primaries and then a nonpartisan general election in 2014. Though the primaries were partisan, candidates could cross-file with both major parties.


A majority of this state's November elections were competitive, as only 40 out of the 169 total candidates ran unopposed. The contested races saw 11 incumbents defeated, though all five judges facing retention were successful by wide margins.
Only 40 out of the 169 total candidates ran unopposed in 2014. The contested races saw 11 incumbents defeated, though all five judges facing retention were successful.


''See [[Maryland elections summary, 2014]] for an overview of this state's election results.''
''See [[Maryland elections summary, 2014]] for an overview of this state's election results.''
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==[[Noteworthy events]]==
==[[Noteworthy events]]==
{{Election news disclaimer}}
{{Election news disclaimer}}
{{Election news collapsed
|Title=Montgomery County judge encumbered by past controversy
|Date=July 10, 2014
|Text=
''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Kidnapping, runoffs and voter ID]]''
[[Maryland Sixth Circuit|Montgomery County Circuit Court]] judge [[Audrey A. Creighton]] survived the [[Maryland judicial elections, 2014|June 24, 2014 primary elections]], receiving 22 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, but losing the Republican nomination. Her challenger, [[Daniel Patrick Connell]], received a similar percentage of Republican votes, though he lost the Democratic primary. Under [[Maryland judicial elections|Maryland judicial selection]] procedures, candidates may cross-file as both [[Republican|Republicans]] and [[Democratic|Democrats]] and thereby secure one party’s nomination if they should fail to secure one from the other party. In this instance, all candidates cross-filed for both parties, resulting in nominal margins of victory in both party’s primaries for all five candidates. With no clear outcome, the five candidates had to again compete against each other in the November 4 general election for four open seats.<ref name=daily>[http://thedailyrecord.com/2014/06/25/while-most-sitting-judges-prevail-some-face-november-challenge/ ''The Daily Record'', "While most sitting judges prevail, some face November challenge," June 25, 2014]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2014/results/primary/index.html ''Maryland State Board of Elections'', "2014 Official Primary Election Results," accessed October 3, 2014]</ref>
Connell reportedly aimed to draw attention to Creighton’s kidnapping and assault by her former intimate partner Ricky Joshua Senning, apparently in hopes of criticizing her character and her ability to adjudicate.<ref name=wash>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/in-montgomery-challenger-presses-judge-on-relationship-with-felon/2014/07/04/46e07554-0141-11e4-8fd0-3a663dfa68ac_story.html ''The Washington Post'', "In Montgomery, challenger presses judge on relationship with felon," July 4, 2014]</ref>
In 2008, Creighton served as one of Senning’s criminal defense attorneys. After his release from state prison in 2013, Senning moved in with Creighton, who by that time was a judge. Later in 2013, Senning was charged with the possession of a small marijuana cigarette, but missed his initial court date. Senning then submitted a legal motion explaining that he had been given the wrong court date to avoid an arrest for his failure to appear in court. Senning’s case was then placed on Creighton’s docket, but she recused herself, citing a conflict. In May 2014, Senning was charged with the assault and kidnapping of Creighton, resulting in the controversy surrounding her re-election to the court ''(see: [[Audrey A. Creighton#Noteworthy events|Audrey A. Creighton, "Judge abucted by former friend, lover"]])''.<ref name=wash/>
Connell reportedly suggested that Creighton had a hand in drafting Senning’s motion in violation of the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits judges from the practice of law.<ref>[http://www.courts.state.md.us/rules/reports/codeofjudicialconduct2010.pdf ''Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct'', “Rule 3.10,” accessed July 9, 2014]</ref> The matter was forwarded to the [[Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities]] for review and investigation.<ref name=wash/><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-messy-situation-in-montgomery-may-prod-maryland-to-reform-how-judges-are-selected/2014/06/27/0805dd10-fe35-11e3-932c-0a55b81f48ce_story.html ''The Washington Post'', "A messy situation in Montgomery may prod Maryland to reform how judges are selected," June 27, 2014]</ref>
Members of the [[Montgomery County, Maryland (Judicial)|Montgomery County]] legal community expressed concern over the outcome of the race. Supporters of Judge Creighton stressed her experience and ability as a jurist, while detractors were quick to associate her relationship with Senning as a flaw on her character and judgment.<ref name=wash/> Reported concern also surrounded Connell's election, since, according to news accounts, he would then be able to circumvent a rigorous vetting process used to choose qualified judges (a selection method that Creighton herself had undergone prior to her appointment in February 2014).<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/an-unappealing-choice-in-montgomery-county-circuit-court-contest/2014/06/20/485132d8-f8aa-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html ''The Washington Post'', "An unappealing choice in Montgomery County Circuit Court contest," June 20, 2014]</ref> Ultimately, voters decided in the November 4 general election to re-elect Creighton.
}}
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|Title=Highlights from the Maryland primary
|Title=Highlights from the Maryland primary
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''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Survival of the fittest as more candidates are eliminated]]''
''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Survival of the fittest as more candidates are eliminated]]''


The results of [[Maryland judicial elections, 2014|Maryland]]’s primary on June 24, 2014 were tallied, and the ballots were then set for the November 4 general election, including multiple judicial races. However, some election officials warned that, due to what could be a “historically” low turnout, a relatively small number of people could end up choosing the state’s judiciary.<ref name=balt>[http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/06/24/primary-voting-starts-slow-some-problems-reported/ ''CBS Baltimore'', "Low Voter Turnout & Delays May Play Critical Role In Primary Election," June 24, 2014]</ref>
The results of [[Maryland judicial elections, 2014|Maryland]]’s primary on June 24, 2014 were tallied, and the ballots were then set for the November 4 general election, including multiple judicial races. However, some election officials said that, due to what could be a low turnout, a relatively small number of people could end up choosing the state’s judiciary.<ref name=balt>[http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/06/24/primary-voting-starts-slow-some-problems-reported/ ''CBS Baltimore'', "Low Voter Turnout & Delays May Play Critical Role In Primary Election," June 24, 2014]</ref>


Court Auditor [[Thomas R. Simpson, Jr.]] beat two sitting judges in [[Charles County, Maryland (Judicial)|Charles County]]’s [[Republican]] primary, which meant that he had to again face judges [[Jerome Richard Spencer]] and [[Hayward James West]] in November for a seat on the [[Maryland Seventh Circuit|7th Circuit Court]].
Court Auditor [[Thomas R. Simpson, Jr.]] defeated two sitting judges in [[Charles County, Maryland (Judicial)|Charles County]]’s [[Republican]] primary, which meant that he had to again face judges [[Jerome Richard Spencer]] and [[Hayward James West]] in November for a seat on the [[Maryland Seventh Circuit|7th Circuit Court]].


[[Scott Rolle (old)|Scott Rolle]], the former state’s attorney, won the [[Frederick County, Maryland (Judicial)|Frederick County]] [[Republican]] primary and again ran against sitting Judge [[Danny Brian O'Connor]] for a seat on the [[Maryland Sixth Circuit|6th Circuit Court]] for [[Frederick County, Maryland (Judicial)|Frederick County]].<ref name=daily>[http://thedailyrecord.com/2014/06/25/while-most-sitting-judges-prevail-some-face-november-challenge/ ''The Daily Record'', "While most sitting judges prevail, some face November challenge," June 25, 2014]</ref>
[[Scott Rolle (old)|Scott Rolle]], the former state’s attorney, won the [[Frederick County, Maryland (Judicial)|Frederick County]] [[Republican]] primary and again ran against sitting Judge [[Danny Brian O'Connor]] for a seat on the [[Maryland Sixth Circuit|6th Circuit Court]] for [[Frederick County, Maryland (Judicial)|Frederick County]].<ref name=daily>[http://thedailyrecord.com/2014/06/25/while-most-sitting-judges-prevail-some-face-november-challenge/ ''The Daily Record'', "While most sitting judges prevail, some face November challenge," June 25, 2014]</ref>


  In [[Montgomery County, Maryland (Judicial)|Montgomery County]], challenger [[Daniel Patrick Connell]] appeared on the November ballot for the [[Maryland Sixth Circuit|6th Circuit Court]] after winning the [[Republican]] primary, even though sitting judges [[Gary Eugene Bair]], [[Audrey A. Creighton]], [[Nelson W. Rupp, Jr.]], and [[Joan E. Ryon]] bested Connell in the [[Democratic]] primary.<ref name=daily/> Creighton was successful despite questions surrounding an incident in May where she was allegedly assaulted by a former roommate with whom she had a personal relationship. The incident raised questions as to the nature of her relationship with the accused, and whether she had unduly provided him with legal counsel while she was a judge ''(See: [[Audrey A. Creighton#Noteworthy events|Audrey A. Creighton, "Judge abducted by former friend, lover"]])''.<ref name=wash>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/an-unappealing-choice-in-montgomery-county-circuit-court-contest/2014/06/20/485132d8-f8aa-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html ''The Washington Post'', "An unappealing choice in Montgomery County Circuit Court contest," June 20, 2014]</ref>
  In [[Montgomery County, Maryland (Judicial)|Montgomery County]], challenger [[Daniel Patrick Connell]] appeared on the November ballot for the [[Maryland Sixth Circuit|6th Circuit Court]] after winning the [[Republican]] primary, even though sitting judges [[Gary Eugene Bair]], [[Audrey A. Creighton]], [[Nelson W. Rupp, Jr.]], and [[Joan E. Ryon]] defeated Connell in the [[Democratic]] primary.<ref name=daily/>  


[[Democratic]] Judge [[Jimmy Sarbanes]] and [[Republican]] challenger [[Melvin Caldwell Jr.]] each won their party’s primary for a 15-year term on the [[Maryland First Circuit|1st Circuit Court]] for [[Wicomico County, Maryland (Judicial)|Wicomico County]], and again faced each other in November.<ref name=daily/> Though the general election was nonpartisan, the primary served as an opportunity for each political party to demonstrate their support for their candidate.<ref>[http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2014/06/24/wicomico-judge-primaries/11340201/ ''Delmarvanow.com'', "On to November for judge candidates," June 25, 2014]</ref>
[[Democratic]] Judge [[Jimmy Sarbanes]] and [[Republican]] challenger [[Melvin Caldwell Jr.]] each won their party’s primary for a 15-year term on the [[Maryland First Circuit|1st Circuit Court]] for [[Wicomico County, Maryland (Judicial)|Wicomico County]], and again faced each other in November.<ref name=daily/><ref>[http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2014/06/24/wicomico-judge-primaries/11340201/ ''Delmarvanow.com'', "On to November for judge candidates," June 25, 2014]</ref>


[[Baltimore County, Maryland (Judicial)|Baltimore County]] judges [[Justin James King]], [[Colleen Cavanaugh]], [[Julie L. Glass]], and [[Paul J. Hanley]] successfully fended off a challenge from attorney [[Kelby Brick]]. Judge [[Fred S. Hecker]]’s defeat of attorney [[Steven Tiedemann]] in [[Carroll County, Maryland (Judicial)|Carroll County]] came as little surprise, as Tiedemann had withdrawn from the race and supported Hecker after the deadline to remove his name from the primary ballot. In [[Cecil County, Maryland (Judicial)|Cecil County]], attorney [[Kevin Urick]] failed to unseat Judge [[Brenda A. Sexton]].<ref name=daily/>
[[Baltimore County, Maryland (Judicial)|Baltimore County]] judges [[Justin James King]], [[Colleen Cavanaugh]], [[Julie L. Glass]], and [[Paul J. Hanley]] defeated a challenge from attorney [[Kelby Brick]]. Judge [[Fred S. Hecker]] defeated attorney [[Steven Tiedemann]] in [[Carroll County, Maryland (Judicial)|Carroll County]], after Tiedemann had withdrawn from the race and supported Hecker after the deadline to remove his name from the primary ballot. In [[Cecil County, Maryland (Judicial)|Cecil County]], attorney [[Kevin Urick]] lost to Judge [[Brenda A. Sexton]].<ref name=daily/>


In [[Anne Arundel County, Maryland (Judicial)|Anne Arundel]], [[Calvert County, Maryland (Judicial)|Calvert]], [[Harford County, Maryland (Judicial)|Harford]], [[Prince George's County, Maryland (Judicial)|Prince George's]], and [[Washington County, Maryland (Judicial)|Washington]] counties, sitting judges ran unopposed.<ref name=daily/>
In [[Anne Arundel County, Maryland (Judicial)|Anne Arundel]], [[Calvert County, Maryland (Judicial)|Calvert]], [[Harford County, Maryland (Judicial)|Harford]], [[Prince George's County, Maryland (Judicial)|Prince George's]], and [[Washington County, Maryland (Judicial)|Washington]] counties, sitting judges ran unopposed.<ref name=daily/>


Finally, in the [[Baltimore City, Maryland|City of Baltimore]], [[Page Croyder]]’s attempt to unseat Judge [[Alfred Nance]] failed when she came in eighth, finishing behind all seven sitting circuit court judges.<ref name=daily/>
Finally, in the [[Baltimore City, Maryland|City of Baltimore]], [[Page Croyder]] was defeated by Judge [[Alfred Nance]] when she came in eighth, finishing behind all seven sitting circuit court judges.<ref name=daily/>
}}
}}
{{Election news collapsed
{{Election news collapsed
|Title=Maryland to see critical judicial contests in June 24 primary
|Title=Maryland to see judicial contests in June 24 primary
|Date=June 19, 2014
|Date=June 19, 2014
|Text=
|Text=
''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Retention tension, a supreme court candidate on trial, and an election decided by coin toss]]''
''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Retention tension, a supreme court candidate on trial, and an election decided by coin toss]]''


Early voting for the [[Maryland judicial elections, 2014|Maryland]] primary began on June 12, 2014, and voters soon began casting their ballots leading up to the June 24 primary election.<ref>[http://somd.com/news/headlines/2014/18277.shtml ''Southern Maryland Online.com'', "Independent Voters Shut Out of Md. Primaries," June 12, 2014]</ref> With contested judicial elections occurring in seven counties and the [[Baltimore City, Maryland|City of Baltimore]], [[Republican]] and [[Democratic]] voters throughout the state had an important role in the makeup of their courts in 2014.<ref name=fred>[http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/courts/critical-vote-ahead-in-judge-s-election/article_a1bffcb5-0702-55bf-b1d7-25e254dd47f6.html?mode=print ''Frederick News-Post.com'', "Critical vote ahead in judge's election," June 18, 2014]</ref>
Early voting for the [[Maryland judicial elections, 2014|Maryland]] primary began on June 12, 2014, and voters soon began casting their ballots leading up to the June 24 primary election.<ref>[http://somd.com/news/headlines/2014/18277.shtml ''Southern Maryland Online.com'', "Independent Voters Shut Out of Md. Primaries," June 12, 2014]</ref> Contested judicial elections occurred in seven counties and the [[Baltimore City, Maryland|City of Baltimore]].<ref name=fred>[http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/courts/critical-vote-ahead-in-judge-s-election/article_a1bffcb5-0702-55bf-b1d7-25e254dd47f6.html?mode=print ''Frederick News-Post.com'', "Critical vote ahead in judge's election," June 18, 2014]</ref>


In [[Washington County, Maryland (Judicial)|Washington County]], [[Republican]] voters determined which three candidates faced Democrats [[Linda Davis (Maryland)|Linda Davis]] and [[Eileen W. Wiggins]] in the general election for judges of the [[Orphans Court of Washington County, Maryland|Orphans Court of Washington County]]. [[Cassandra Laverne Costley]], [[Paul Cox]], and [[Joseph W. Eichelberger]] challenged incumbents [[Robert Adair]], [[Frank E. Novinger]], and current chief judge [[John M. Shriver]]. All three seats on the court were up for grabs.<ref>[http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/judge-of-orphans-court-race-to-be-narrowed-through-primary/article_e0323cc9-7598-5e96-818a-ec18c362ed05.html ''Herald Mail Media'', "Orphans' court seats to be contested in primary," June 16, 2014]</ref>
In [[Washington County, Maryland (Judicial)|Washington County]], [[Republican]] voters chose which three candidates faced Democrats [[Linda Davis (Maryland)|Linda Davis]] and [[Eileen W. Wiggins]] in the general election for judges of the [[Orphans Court of Washington County, Maryland|Orphans Court of Washington County]]. [[Cassandra Laverne Costley]], [[Paul Cox]], and [[Joseph W. Eichelberger]] challenged incumbents [[Robert Adair]], [[Frank E. Novinger]], and current chief judge [[John M. Shriver]]. All three seats on the court were available.<ref>[http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/judge-of-orphans-court-race-to-be-narrowed-through-primary/article_e0323cc9-7598-5e96-818a-ec18c362ed05.html ''Herald Mail Media'', "Orphans' court seats to be contested in primary," June 16, 2014]</ref>


In the race for [[Frederick County, Maryland (Judicial)|Frederick County]] circuit court judge, incumbent [[Danny Brian O'Connor]] faced former State’s Attorney [[Scott Rolle (old)|Scott Rolle]]. Due to the structure of [[Maryland judicial elections]], the June 24 primary could have served as the end of the race. Because both candidates appeared on both the [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] primary ballots, if one of them had won both primaries he would be the only name on the November ballot. If they each had won only one of the party primaries, however, both names would have appeared on the general election ballot.<ref name=fred/>
In the race for [[Frederick County, Maryland (Judicial)|Frederick County]] circuit court judge, incumbent [[Danny Brian O'Connor]] ran against former State’s Attorney [[Scott Rolle (old)|Scott Rolle]].  


In the race for [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland (Judicial)|Queen Anne's County]] judge of the Orphan’s Court, [[Republican]] voters narrowed the primary field of seven Republican candidates down to three for the November general elections. Candidates included business owner [[Kim Calvert]], security firm president [[Barry Donadio]], former Orphan’s Court Judge [[Penelope Keating]], farmer and realtor [[Richard Smith (Maryland)|Richard Smith]], physician and professor [[Eric Wargotz]], and incumbent judges [[Kimberly Jean Cascia]] and [[Joseph V. DiPietro]].<ref>[http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/news/queen_annes_county/article_cfe7a4e5-bdc8-52a0-a815-106d51171ad6.html?mode=print ''My Eastern Shore MD'', "Seven Republicans run for Judge of Orphans' Court," June 11, 2014]</ref>
In the race for [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland (Judicial)|Queen Anne's County]] judge of the Orphan’s Court, [[Republican]] voters selected candidates including business owner [[Kim Calvert]], security firm president [[Barry Donadio]], former Orphan’s Court Judge [[Penelope Keating]], farmer and realtor [[Richard Smith (Maryland)|Richard Smith]], physician and professor [[Eric Wargotz]], and incumbent judges [[Kimberly Jean Cascia]] and [[Joseph V. DiPietro]].<ref>[http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/news/queen_annes_county/article_cfe7a4e5-bdc8-52a0-a815-106d51171ad6.html?mode=print ''My Eastern Shore MD'', "Seven Republicans run for Judge of Orphans' Court," June 11, 2014]</ref>
 
In [[Baltimore City, Maryland|Baltimore]], former city prosecutor [[Page Croyder]] ran for a seat on the [[Maryland Eighth Circuit|Maryland Circuit Court]]. Croyder stated that her campaign was motivated in part by concerns about Judge [[Alfred Nance]]'s conduct, including what she described as a “lack of decorum on the bench” and “poor treatment of women.” Due to the structure of the election, however, she effectively ran against all seven sitting judges. Both the [[Republican]] and [[Democratic]] primary ballots listed all eight candidates alphabetically, with the top seven vote-getters advancing to the general election ballot.<ref name=baltimore/> Candidates included Croyder and sitting judges Nance, [[Melissa K. Copeland]], [[Jeffrey M. Geller]], [[Philip Senan Jackson]], [[Christopher L. Panos]], [[Melissa Marie Phinn]], and [[Julie Rubin]].<ref name=baltimore>[http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-06-14/news/bs-md-ci-judge-elections-20140614_1_sitting-judges-former-city-prosecutor-page-croyder ''The Baltimore Sun'', "Ex-prosecutor hopes to knock city judge off bench," June 14, 2014]</ref>}}


In [[Baltimore City, Maryland|Baltimore]], former city prosecutor [[Page Croyder]] ran for a seat on the [[Maryland Eighth Circuit|Maryland Circuit Court]]. Though she claimed to be targeting Judge [[Alfred Nance]] specifically due to his “lack of decorum on the bench” and “poor treatment of women,” Croyder effectively ran against all seven sitting judges, as both [[Republican]] and [[Democratic]] primary ballots listed all eight candidates alphabetically, and the top seven vote-getters appeared on the general election ballot.<ref name=baltimore/> Candidates included Croyder and sitting judges Nance, [[Melissa K. Copeland]], [[Jeffrey M. Geller]], [[Philip Senan Jackson]], [[Christopher L. Panos]], [[Melissa Marie Phinn]], and [[Julie Rubin]].<ref name=baltimore>[http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-06-14/news/bs-md-ci-judge-elections-20140614_1_sitting-judges-former-city-prosecutor-page-croyder ''The Baltimore Sun'', "Ex-prosecutor hopes to knock city judge off bench," June 14, 2014]</ref>
}}
{{Election news collapsed
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|Title=Maryland judicial races overview
|Title=Maryland judicial races overview

Latest revision as of 18:40, 1 July 2025

Judicial elections
Maryland judicial elections, 2014
Overview
Total candidates: 169
Primary candidates: 153
General election candidates: 136
Incumbency
Incumbents: 84
Incumbent success rate: 87%
Competition - general election
Percent of candidates in contested races: 67%
Percent uncontested: 29%
Percent retention: 4%
2015 →
← 2013
Judicial Elections
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Judicial elections, 2014
Judicial election dates
Candidates by state
Supreme court elections


The focus of the Maryland judicial elections in 2014 was the trial courts. Judges of the circuit and orphans' courts competed in partisan primaries and then a nonpartisan general election in 2014. Though the primaries were partisan, candidates could cross-file with both major parties.

Only 40 out of the 169 total candidates ran unopposed in 2014. The contested races saw 11 incumbents defeated, though all five judges facing retention were successful.

See Maryland elections summary, 2014 for an overview of this state's election results.

Election dates

  • February 25: Filing deadline
  • June 24: Primary
  • November 4: General election[1]

In addition to candidate lists, this page includes information about how the state's judicial elections work, as well as articles about noteworthy news in races across the state.

General election: Contested races

(I) denotes incumbent

First Circuit Court, Wicomico County

Sixth Circuit Court, Frederick County

Sixth Circuit Court, Montgomery County (4 seats)

Seventh Circuit Court, Charles County (2 seats)

Orphans Court, Allegany County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Anne Arundel County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Baltimore County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Carroll County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Cecil County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Charles County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Frederick County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Garrett County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Howard County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Kent County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Queen Anne's County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Somerset County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, St. Mary's County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Washington County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Wicomico County (3 seats)

Orphans Court, Worcester County (3 seats)

Retentions

The following judges were retained in the general election. In retention elections, the incumbent judge is not being evaluated against an opponent. Rather, he or she simply receives votes of "yes" to retain or "no", do not retain.

Appellate courts

CourtJudgeVotes
Click the arrows in the column headings to sort columns alphabetically.
Maryland Court of Special AppealsAndrea M. Leahy-Fucheck85.8%ApprovedA
Maryland Court of Special AppealsDouglas R. M. Nazarian79.3%ApprovedA
Maryland Court of Special AppealsKevin Francis Arthur84.8%ApprovedA
Maryland Court of Special AppealsMichael Wilson Reed87.8%ApprovedA
Maryland Court of AppealsShirley Marie Watts88.4%ApprovedA

General election: Uncontested

The following candidates ran unopposed in the general election.

Trial courts

CourtCandidate
Click the arrows in the column headings to sort columns alphabetically.
8th Judicial CircuitAlfred Nance
Orphans Court of Prince George's CountyAthena Malloy Groves
Second Circuit CourtBrenda A. Sexton
Orphans Court of Dorchester CountyCalvin Travers
Orphans Court of Dorchester CountyCarolyn I. Todd
Orphans Court of Talbot CountyCarville D. Duncan
Orphans Court of Baltimore CityCharles Bernstein
8th Judicial CircuitChristopher L. Panos
Third Circuit CourtColleen Cavanaugh
Orphans Court of Caroline CountyConway Gregory
Fourth Circuit CourtDana M. Wright
Fourth Circuit CourtDonald E. Beachley
7th Judicial CircuitE. Gregory Wells
Orphans Court of Caroline CountyEllery Adams
Fifth Circuit CourtFred S. Hecker
Orphans Court of Dorchester CountyGeorge R. Ames, Jr
8th Judicial CircuitJeffrey M. Geller
Third Circuit CourtJulie L. Glass
8th Judicial CircuitJulie Rubin
Third Circuit CourtJustin James King
7th Judicial CircuitLawrence V. Hill, Jr.
Orphans Court of Calvert CountyLeslie M. Downs
Orphans Court of Baltimore CityLewyn Scott Garrett
7th Judicial CircuitMark Stephen Chandlee
8th Judicial CircuitMelissa K. Copeland
8th Judicial CircuitMelissa Marie Phinn
Orphans Court of Baltimore CityMichele E. Loewenthal
Third Circuit CourtPaul J. Hanley
Orphans Court of Talbot CountyPaul S. Carroll
8th Judicial CircuitPhilip Senan Jackson
Orphans Court of Caroline CountyRon Fearins
Fifth Circuit CourtRonald A. Silkworth
7th Judicial CircuitSheila R. Tillerson Adams
Orphans Court of Calvert CountyTheodore Philip LeBlanc
Orphans Court of Calvert CountyThomas Michael Pelagatti
7th Judicial CircuitToni E. Clarke
Orphans Court of Prince George's CountyVicky L. Ivory-Orem
Orphans Court of Prince George's CountyWendy A. Cartwright
Orphans Court of Talbot CountyWilliam J. Howard
Third Circuit CourtYolanda L. Curtin

Primary

For candidate lists and results from the judicial primary on June 24, 2014, please see: Maryland judicial primary elections, 2014.

Process

Primary election

Circuit and orphans' court judges compete in a partisan primary for the Republican and/or Democratic nomination. Candidates may 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.[3][4]

Below is an example of the elections process for the circuit courts 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.

[5]

”
—Maryland State Board of Elections[4]

General election

Appellate judges stand for retention in the general election. Trial court judge candidates who advanced from the partisan primary run in the general election without party affiliation.[6]

Noteworthy events

The following articles were current as of the dates listed.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "2014 Gubernatorial Election Calendar"
  2. ↑ Via an email with the Garrett County Election Director on November 13, 2014
  3. ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Judicial Candidates," accessed April 7, 2014
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Maryland State Board of Elections, "2012 Elections - Circuit Court, Judicial Candidates," accessed June 17, 2014
  5. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  6. ↑ Maryland Election Law, "§ 9-210. Arrangement of ballots — Candidates and offices," accessed April 7, 2014
  7. ↑ CBS Baltimore, "Low Voter Turnout & Delays May Play Critical Role In Primary Election," June 24, 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 The Daily Record, "While most sitting judges prevail, some face November challenge," June 25, 2014
  9. ↑ Delmarvanow.com, "On to November for judge candidates," June 25, 2014
  10. ↑ Southern Maryland Online.com, "Independent Voters Shut Out of Md. Primaries," June 12, 2014
  11. ↑ Frederick News-Post.com, "Critical vote ahead in judge's election," June 18, 2014
  12. ↑ Herald Mail Media, "Orphans' court seats to be contested in primary," June 16, 2014
  13. ↑ My Eastern Shore MD, "Seven Republicans run for Judge of Orphans' Court," June 11, 2014
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 The Baltimore Sun, "Ex-prosecutor hopes to knock city judge off bench," June 14, 2014
  15. ↑ My Eastern Shore, MD, "Many candidates seek local offices in Queen Anne's County," February 28, 2014
  16. ↑ Herald Mail Media.com, "Hopefuls file to run for various Washington County, state and national offices," February 26, 2014
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 The Daily Record.com, "Circuit court judicial election update," February 26, 2014
v • e
Judicial elections, 2014

Maryland courts

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

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