Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Mark P. Brugh — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

  Mark P. Brugh is a Democratic candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington County, Maryland. A Hagerstown resident, Brugh brings extensive community ties and an academic background, having served as an adjunct instructor at Hagerstown Community College where he taught family, criminal, and constitutional law. Beyond his legal knowledge, Brugh is a dedicated historian, author, and Civil War researcher. He co-authored "Civil War Ghosts of Sharpsburg" and hosted an award-winning podcast on Antietam history. He has also held leadership roles with the local United Way and the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum. He promises compassion and fairness on the bench.

• Melinda S. Malott — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

  Melinda S. Malott is a Democratic candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington County, Maryland. A Williamsport resident, she has a robust background in healthcare. Malott earned a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in community health education. She spent years working as a registered nurse, dedicating her career to health education before retiring in 2009. Further serving her local area, Malott has worked part-time for the Washington County Election Board. She is also the author of a children's book designed to help kids understand the limitations caused by chronic illnesses.

• Shawn Perry — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

  Shawn Perry is a Democratic candidate running for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington County, Maryland, in the 2026 election. He is seeking one of the three available seats on the court alongside fellow Democrats Mark Brugh and Melinda Malott. Perry previously sought public office during the 2022 election cycle, when he ran as the Democratic nominee for the Maryland State Senate to represent District 2. During that campaign, he successfully defended his candidacy against a residency challenge in court and advanced from the primary. Ultimately, he lost the general election to the Republican incumbent. Perry continues his civic engagement today.

• Paul D. Banister — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

  Paul D. Banister is a Republican currently serving as Chief Judge of the Orphans' Court for Washington County, Maryland. Born in 1953 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Banister attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson State University in 1976. Professionally, he worked as a corporate credit manager from 1978 to 1988 and served as a branch manager for the Noland Company from 1998 to 2016. Before joining the bench in 2018, Banister was a member of the Washington County Republican Central Committee. He is also active in local history groups and the Sons of the American Revolution.

• Debra Breeding — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

  Debra A. Breeding is a Republican candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington County, Maryland. A devoted public servant, Breeding has spent her entire career working within the Maryland Judiciary. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Frostburg State University in 1990. After graduating, Breeding began working as a District Court Clerk in Washington County. In 1992, she was appointed to serve as a District Court Commissioner for Allegany County, where she served for thirty years until retiring in 2022. That December, she became a Judge of the Orphans' Court. She is a resident of Washington County.

• Jim Nipps — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington, Maryland

  James R. Nipps, a Republican, serves as a Judge of the Orphans' Court in Washington County, Maryland, a position he has held since April 9, 2024, after previous service from 2020 to 2022. Born in 1947, he is a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned a bronze star and commendation medal. Nipps holds degrees from Penn State University and Shepherd University. His professional background includes management positions at Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power) and Meritus Enterprises Inc., and compliance roles at Hub Scrap Metals LLC. He is a member of the American Legion Post no. 42 and the Antietam Exchange Club.