Orphans court gets new judge

Bowie and Garner remain

Friday, Nov. 10, 2006

Incumbents Warren A. Bowie (D) of Indian Head and Elizabeth L. Garner (R) of La Plata will be showing newcomer J. Lorraine Berry (D) of Charlotte Hall the ropes after they’re sworn in Dec. 5.

The court meets every Tuesday to conduct judicial probate dealing with estates and guardianship of minors and their property.

The race’s turnout is a bit surprising.

Kevin B. Wedding, an eight-year veteran of the court and its chief judge for the past two years, didn’t make the cut.

‘‘There’s nothing I could’ve done differently,” Wedding said. ‘‘I came in fourth, what can I say? It’s a shame the court is losing [someone with] so much experience. But I enjoyed the job, I enjoyed the experience and I think I did a good job.”

Bowie, the former mayor of Indian Head, was appointed to the court in 2004 by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., following the May 2004 resignation of Lillian A. Clark. Clark died in April 2005.

Bowie was Tuesday’s top vote-getter with 21,786 votes.

‘‘I was overwhelmed at the tremendous support I received,” Bowie said. He is looking forward to returning to work with Garner and introducing Berry to the ways of the court.

‘‘[It will be] just like when I came on two years ago,” Bowie said. ‘‘She has a lot to learn and pick up on, and I think she will. I’m sure she’ll be a dedicated judge.”

Berry is the newcomer to the orphans court, but has a long history in the county. Berry Road is named for her family. Her father, Ed, was a Charles County commissioner.

‘‘I’m a little sleep deprived,” Berry said the day after the election. ‘‘But I’m astounded. It was awesome.”

Berry, the second highest vote-getter in the race with 19,674 votes, said she was surprised at the outcome.

‘‘I had no clue I would gather that many votes just being a rookie,” she said. ‘‘I met so many great friends, and I guess they told their family and friends [to vote].”

Garner, who has been on the court since 1986, earned 17,331 votes, just edging out Wedding, who got 17,187.

The orphans court outcome might change when local elections officials finish counting the absentee ballots. The county elections board issued more than 3,600 absentee ballots, which officials began counting Thursday.

In other parts of the courthouse, uncontested races turned out as expected.

Register of Wills Susie C. Bowles received 27,064 votes, and Clerk of the Circuit Court for Charles County Sharon L. ‘‘Sherri” Hancock got 29,157 votes.

Unopposed Charles County State’s Attorney Leonard C. Collins Jr. (D) earned 28,905 votes.