Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• LaKeecia Allen — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  LaKeecia Allen is a candidate running for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's Judicial Circuit 7, representing Prince George's County, on the Judicial ticket. Allen currently serves as an Associate Judge on the Prince George's County Circuit Court, a role she assumed in August 2024. Previously, she served as a District Court Judge for District 5 from 2020 to 2024. Her extensive legal career includes working as a Senior Associate County Attorney from 2004 to 2018, and as Director of Policy at the State's Attorney's Office. She earned a B.A. from American University and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2004.

• Scott M. Carrington — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Scott M. Carrington is a Judicial candidate running for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's 7th Judicial Circuit, representing Prince George's County. He was appointed as an Associate Judge on the Circuit Court in August 2024. Prior to this, he served as an Associate Judge for the District Court of Maryland from 2017 to 2024, and presided over the Adult Drug Court. His career includes serving as an Assistant State's Attorney in Prince George's County from 2004 to 2017 and as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. He earned a B.S. from Bowie State University and a J.D. from Cooley School of Law.

• Ada Elizabeth Clark-Edwards — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Ada Elizabeth Clark-Edwards is a Judicial candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's Judicial Circuit 7. Appointed to the Prince George's County Circuit Court in August 2024, she previously served as a District Court Judge starting in 2016. With extensive courtroom experience, she served as an Assistant State's Attorney and was chief of the special victims and family violence unit. She has also managed a private practice and worked as a program manager for the U.S. Department of Justice. Clark-Edwards holds a bachelor's degree from Towson University and earned her J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

• Stacey Cobb Smith — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  The Honorable Stacey Cobb Smith is running as a Judicial candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's 7th Judicial Circuit, which serves Prince George's County. Governor Wes Moore appointed Judge Cobb Smith to the Circuit Court in August 2025. Prior to this role, she served as an Associate Judge for the District Court of Maryland from 2020 to 2025. Before her appointment to the bench, Cobb Smith spent twelve years as an Assistant State's Attorney in Prince George's County, where she served as chief of the major crimes unit. She holds a B.S. in criminal justice from Coppin State College and a J.D. from the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law.

• Althea Stewart Jones — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Althea Stewart Jones is a judicial candidate running for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's 7th Judicial Circuit, serving Prince George's County. Running as a Judicial candidate in the 2026 election, she brings deep court experience to her campaign. Stewart Jones earned her law degree from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law in 1990. For many years, she has served the community as a Family Division Magistrate in the Prince George's County Circuit Court. In this role, she has presided over juvenile hearings, championed family reunification in the child welfare system, and advocated for emancipating foster youth.

• Donnaka Varner Lewis — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Donnaka Varner Lewis is a candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's Judicial Circuit 7, representing the Judicial party. Appointed to the Prince George's County Circuit Court by Governor Wes Moore in August 2025, she brings extensive legal expertise to the bench. Previously, Judge Lewis served as an Associate Judge for the Prince George's County District Court from 2016 to 2025. Prior to her judicial roles, she spent twelve years as an Assistant State's Attorney, ultimately serving as chief of the district court division. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.

• Michael Ray Pearson — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Michael Ray Pearson is a candidate for Judge of the Maryland Circuit Court for the 7th Judicial Circuit in a nonpartisan judicial contest. He has served as an Associate Judge on the Prince George's County Circuit Court since August 2009. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Pearson served as an Assistant State's Attorney from 1999 to 2004, and later as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Homicide Unit from 2007 to 2009. He also practiced law privately as an associate at Bennett & Bair, LLP. Pearson holds a B.S. from the University of the District of Columbia and a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University.

• Joseph C. Ruddy, III — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Joseph C. Ruddy, III is a candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's Judicial Circuit 7. Running in the state's nonpartisan judicial elections, he currently serves as an Associate Judge for the Prince George's County Circuit Court, having been sworn into the position in March 2026. Prior to his investiture to the bench, Ruddy dedicated his legal career to public service by working as a county prosecutor in Maryland. He earned his law degree from the Columbus School of Law. Raised in Cheverly, Maryland, Ruddy is a widowed father of four children. He is now seeking a full term to continue providing compassionate service to his community.

• Todd Steuart — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Todd Steuart is a Judicial candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court in Maryland's Judicial Circuit 7. Appointed as an Associate Judge to the Circuit Court for Prince George's County in 2024, he previously served as a Foreclosure Magistrate for the same court. Steuart spent the majority of his career as an Assistant State's Attorney for Prince George's County, leading the Gun Unit and the Grand Jury Unit's Case Management and Quality Control. He also spent a decade working as a criminal defense attorney with his father. Steuart earned his J.D. and B.A. cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law and St. Mary's College, respectively.

• Kevin R. Hill — Judge of the Circuit Court in Judicial Circuit 7, Maryland

  Kevin R. Hill is a Judicial candidate to retain his seat as Judge of the Circuit Court for Maryland's 7th Judicial Circuit in St. Mary's County. Appointed by Governor Wes Moore in 2025, Hill brings extensive legal experience to the bench. Before his appointment, he served as a Family Law Magistrate for St. Mary's County from 2020 to 2025. His public service career includes roles as an Assistant State's Attorney and an Assistant Public Defender in Southern Maryland. Before practicing law, he managed his family's restaurant business. Hill holds a B.A. from St. Mary's College of Maryland and a J.D. from the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law.