Judge of the Orphans' Court in Allegany, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Edward C. Crossland — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Allegany, Maryland

  Edward C. Crossland is a Republican official serving as the Chief Judge of the Orphans' Court for Allegany County, Maryland. Born in Cumberland in 1969, he was raised on a local farm. Crossland earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Virginia Tech in 1990 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa School of Law. Prior to joining the bench, he spent over fifteen years in private legal practice. He was first elected as an Orphans' Court judge in the 2014 election and later elevated to Chief Judge in 2021. Additionally, Crossland works as a civil case mediator, manages his family farm, and has served as an adjunct professor.

• Craig Robertson — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Allegany, Maryland

  Craig Robertson is a Republican candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Allegany County, Maryland. A lifelong local resident born in Frostburg, he earned a degree in criminal justice from Allegany College of Maryland. Robertson dedicated decades to law enforcement, starting as a cadet in 1979 before serving as a Cumberland City police officer. In 1990, he joined the Allegany County Sheriff's Office as a detective and steadily advanced through the ranks. He was first elected as the Allegany County Sheriff in 2010, ultimately serving multiple terms in that role. He is now seeking a transition to the judicial branch to continue his public service.

• Penny Lyn Walker — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Allegany, Maryland

  Penny Lyn Walker is a Republican serving as a Judge of the Orphans' Court for Allegany County, Maryland. Assuming office on December 8, 2022, Walker brings decades of applied legal and fiduciary experience to the bench. Born in Allegany County, she graduated from Fort Hill High School and overcame early hardships in foster care. Professionally, Walker spent nearly twenty years as a legal assistant with Maryland Legal Aid, advocating for clients in administrative hearings, and also worked for the local Office of the Public Defender. In 2012, she founded MaddCatt Vapors, gaining financial and contract expertise.