HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Six people are running for three seats on the Washington County Orphans’ Court in the general election. Three Republican incumbents are seeking re-election, and three Democrats are challenging them.
Chief Judge Paul D. Banister and Judges Debra Breeding and James Nipps want to serve another four-year term. They are running against Democrats Mark P. Brugh, Melinda S. Malott and Shawn Perry.
Voters can choose up to three candidates, regardless of party.
The Orphans’ Court may not get as much attention as other elected offices, but its decisions can directly affect Washington County families dealing with the estates of loved ones who have died.
Three current judges want another term
Banister is the current chief judge of the Washington County Orphans’ Court. He is running as a Republican and filed to run on Feb. 10.
Breeding is also running for re-election as a Republican. She filed on Feb. 13 and has a campaign website with information about her candidacy.
Nipps, whose full name is James R. Nipps, is the third current judge running for another term. He filed on Feb. 11.
Their terms end in 2026. The court has three judges, each serving a four-year term. The governor chooses the chief judge.
Democratic candidates challenge incumbents
Three Democrats are also running for seats on the court.
Brugh filed to run on Feb. 17. His campaign committee is called Friends of Mark Brugh.
The Washington County Democratic Central Committee chose Malott as a candidate on March 2. Her campaign committee is Friends of Melinda Malott.
The Democratic Central Committee selected Perry on March 10. His campaign committee is Friends of Shawn Perry.
All three Democrats will be on the general election ballot along with the Republican incumbents. The Maryland State Board of Elections lists all six candidates as active.
What does the Orphans’ Court do?
Even though it is called the Orphans’ Court, it does not mainly deal with cases about children who have lost their parents.
Instead, the court oversees parts of estate administration and probate proceedings.
The court’s duties include reviewing estate accounts, approving distributions, and settling disputes that can come up when someone’s property and finances are handled after they die.
The court also handles guardianship cases involving minors.
These cases can include questions about inheritance, what personal representatives must do and whether estate assets are being handled according to Maryland law.
Orphans’ Court judges work with the Register of Wills, who keeps estate records and handles probate-related administrative tasks.
The judges’ duties are different from those of the Circuit Court and District Court.
Why the election matters
The election results will decide who oversees probate-related court cases in Washington County for the next four years.
People may deal with the Orphans’ Court when handling a deceased family member’s estate, settling a dispute over estate property, or dealing with some guardianship issues.
Judges on the court review legal documents, hear testimony when needed and make decisions under Maryland probate law.
Voters may want to consider the candidates’ experience with legal procedures, estate administration and public service when deciding who to support.
Voters can choose up to three candidates
All six candidates will appear on the general election ballot for Washington County voters.
The three candidates who get the most votes will win the open seats.
This race differs from Maryland’s appellate judicial retention elections, where voters decide whether a current judge should stay in office.
The Orphans’ Court election is competitive, with candidates from both major political parties.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, though early voting started Oct. 22. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
