This month, nine Prince George’s County candidates are running for a permanent seat as a circuit court judge for Circuit 7. In each county in Maryland, the Circuit Court handles major criminal and civil cases, including juvenile and family court disputes, and appeals from the District Court. Most of the candidates are currently serving on the bench; however, they need to be voted in to gain a permanent position.
In Maryland, the governor usually appoints a judge from lists created by local nominating commissions. In this race, Governor Wes Moore appointed most of the candidates to the bench. At least one year after their appointment, the candidate must stand for election to continue for a 15-year term. During the election, candidates who were not appointed may run against them, as long as they meet the qualifications. The state requires candidates to be U.S. citizens, registered voters and Maryland lawyers at least 30 years of age. They also must have lived in the state for at least five years and in the county for at least six months. At the end of a term, the candidate can run for reelection until the age of 70.
Voters will be able to select up to nine of the nine candidates.
LaKeecia Allen
LaKeecia Allen has been serving as an associate judge for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County since being appointed by Moore in 2024. Allen earned her B.A. in political science from American University and her law degree from the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law. Before her current position, Allen served as a district court judge for Prince George’s County from 2020 to 2024, and also served as campaign manager for Angela Alsobrooks’ 2010 campaign for state attorney. Allen also teaches law-related courses at Bowie State University.
Scott M. Carrington
Scott M. Carrington currently serves as an associate judge for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County since his appointment by Moore in 2024. Previously, he served as an associate judge for the District Court from 2017 to 2024 and as a presiding judge for the Adult Drug Court from 2020 to 2024. Judicial biographies note that Carrington served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and is a former judge advocate general. Carrington earned his B.S. from Bowie State University and also attended the Cooley School of Law at Western Michigan University.
Ada Elizabeth Clark-Edwards
Ada Elizabeth Clark-Edwards joined the Circuit Court in 2024, appointed by Moore, after serving eight years as a district court judge. Clark-Edwards also previously served as a prosecutor in the office of the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, specializing in domestic and family violence, and worked in the Office on Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice from 2010 to 2011. She earned her B.S. in mass communications from Towson State University and juris doctor degree at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.
Althea Stewart Jones
Althea Stewart Jones is currently serving as an associate judge for Prince George’s County’s Circuit Court after working for two years as the deputy executive director for family court administration within Maryland’s court system. Jones also served eight years as the director of Maryland’s foster care court improvement program. She spent several years at the Legal Aid Bureau, holding multiple leadership roles focused on child advocacy and legal services. Jones received her B.A. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and her law degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Law.
Donnaka Varner Lewis
Donnaka Varner Lewis was appointed as an associate judge to the Circuit Court in 2025, bringing nine years of experience as an associate judge to the District Court. Prior to these roles, Lewis served as an assistant state’s attorney, where she specialized in felony trials. Born in Ohio, Lewis earned her B.A. in psychology from Hampton University, her M.A. in psychology from American University and her law degree from the University of Maryland’s School of Law.
Michael Ray Pearson
Michael Ray Pearson has been serving as an associate judge for the Circuit Court since 2009, making him one of the longest-serving candidates in the race. Before joining the bench, Pearson served as an assistant state’s attorney from 1999 to 2004, and a senior trial attorney for the Homicide Unit from 2007 to 2009. Pearson has also served on the criminal law section council of the Maryland State Bar Association since 2007. Born in Washington, D.C., he attended Morehouse College before earning his law degree from the Catholic University of America.
Joseph C. Ruddy III
Joseph C. Ruddy III was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2026, making him one of the newest candidates to the bench. Prior to this role, Ruddy served as an attorney with the Prince George’s County Office of Law for seven years and since 2025 was the primary legal advisor for Prince George’s County Police. He has 15 years of experience as a prosecutor in the State’s Attorney’s Office. Ruddy has taught courses for police departments on topics such as the Fourth Amendment. Ruddy earned his law degree from the Catholic University of America.
Stacey Cobb Smith
Stacey Cobb Smith joined the Circuit Court in 2025 after previously serving as a district court judge. She is a member of various subcommittees, including Human Trafficking and Community Outreach. Before joining the bench, Smith served as an assistant state’s attorney, leading the major crimes unit. Smith earned her B.S. in criminal justice from Coppin State College before earning her law degree from the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law.
Todd Steuart
Todd Steuart was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2024 after serving as a foreclosure magistrate since 2023. Steuart worked in the Office of the State’s Attorney from 2015 to 2023 and spent years in private practice and title law, including serving as vice-president of Atlantic Coast Title. He earned his B.A. from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Charlotte Ormond is a University of Maryland student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism interning with the Greenbelt News Review.