Judge of the Orphans' Court in Prince George's, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Wendy Alise Cartwright — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Prince George's, Maryland

  Wendy Alise Cartwright is a Democratic candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Prince George's County, Maryland. Born in Washington, D.C., she earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1989. Cartwright was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1990 and enjoyed a legal career in private practice, including serving as a partner at Cartwright & White. First elected as a judge for the Orphans' Court in 2001, she has served as the court's Chief Judge since 2003, bringing significant experience to the bench.

• Jason A. DeLoach — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Prince George's, Maryland

  Jason A. DeLoach is a Democratic candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Prince George's County, Maryland. DeLoach brings decades of legal experience to the bench, having practiced law as an attorney at Alexander & Cleaver, P.A. since 1997. His extensive legal background includes civil litigation, administrative law, and municipal representation. A dedicated leader in the legal community, he served as President of both the Prince George's County Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association. DeLoach earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

• Athena Malloy Groves — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Prince George's, Maryland

  Athena Malloy Groves is a Democratic judge serving on the Orphans' Court of Prince George's County in Maryland. First elected to the bench in 2006, she brings decades of legal experience to the role. Groves earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1989 and her Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1994. Before joining the judiciary, she was an attorney in private practice, including as a managing partner at Taylor, Groves & Martin. A dedicated public servant, Judge Groves has also served as Chair of the Conference of Orphans' Court Judges and on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.