Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Teresa M. DiFabbio-Crawley — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil, Maryland

  Teresa M. DiFabbio-Crawley is a Democratic candidate running for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil County, Maryland, for the 2026 election cycle. A resident of Chesapeake City, Maryland, she officially filed her candidacy for the judicial position with the Maryland State Board of Elections in February 2026. In Maryland, the Orphans' Court serves as the state's probate court, handling matters such as wills, estates, and guardianship of minors. Public information regarding her extended professional background and campaign platform is currently limited. By entering the race, DiFabbio-Crawley is seeking to serve the community as a local judicial official in Cecil County.

• David M. Schaeffer, Sr. — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil, Maryland

  David M. Schaeffer, Sr. is a Democratic candidate running for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil County, Maryland. A longtime resident of Elkton, Maryland, Schaeffer has deep roots in his local community. He is running to serve his county in the upcoming 2026 election, having established his campaign committee, David Schaeffer for Orphans Court Judge. Schaeffer is a devoted family man who was married to his late wife, Kathaleen, for thirty-eight years before her passing in 2019. Together, they raised two sons, David Jr. and Daniel. As a candidate, he is dedicated to bringing his steady judgment to the Cecil County Orphans' Court.

• Donna Caudell — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil, Maryland

  Donna Caudell is a Republican candidate running for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil County, Maryland. A resident of Elkton, Maryland, she lives with her husband, Dave. Caudell grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and after graduating from high school, she enjoyed a 27-year career at the DuPont Company. She has been actively involved in her community for years, notably serving as a co-founder of the grassroots conservative organization, the Cecil County Patriots. Additionally, Caudell has prior experience in local government affairs, having been appointed to the Cecil County Ethics Commission, where her term extended until August 2022.

• Carolyn L. Crouch — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil, Maryland

  Carolyn L. Crouch is a Republican politician and jurist serving as the Chief Judge of the Orphans' Court for Cecil County, Maryland. Born in 1954, she was educated at North East High School. Crouch was first elected as a judge on the Cecil County Orphans' Court in 2006 and elevated to Chief Judge in 2010, winning multiple re-election campaigns including in 2014 and 2022. Beyond her judicial duties, she has been active in local community organizations in Cecil County. She served as President of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and worked as the Director of Fund Development for the local Cecil County Men's Shelter from 2004 to 2006.

• Jackie Gregory — Republican Central Committee in Cecil, Maryland

  Jackie Gregory is a Republican candidate for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil County, Maryland. She previously served on the Cecil County Council representing District 5 from 2016 to 2024. During her tenure, she held leadership roles as Council Vice President from 2018 to 2022 and Council President from 2022 to 2024. Before entering local politics, Gregory worked as a public school teacher. She taught English, language arts, and drama for Harford County Public Schools and served as an online instructor. She founded the Cecil County Patriots in 2009. Gregory holds a B.A. from Liberty University and an M.A. in education from McDaniel College.

• Robin Peck — Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil, Maryland

  Robin Peck is a Republican candidate running for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Cecil County, Maryland, during the 2026 election cycle. Peck officially entered the race by filing on February 24, 2026, and is campaigning under the principal committee name Peck (Robin) for Orphans Court Judge. Currently residing in North East, Maryland, Peck is an active contender on the Republican primary ballot, seeking to serve the local community through this specialized judicial role. Beyond official filing records, additional campaign details and specific platform positions remain sparse in the public domain. Peck looks to secure the nomination in the upcoming primary.