Candidate Forum Recap

Originally Published: April 17, 2024

Circuit Court Judge

A candidate forum hosted by the St. Mary's County NAACP, LWV of St. Mary's County, Maryland, Center for the Study of Democracy, and the St. Mary's County Library was held on April 11th, in which candidates for three out of four local races presented their case to the public. Candidates for Board of Education District 4 will have their chance at a rescheduled forum on April 25th, at 5:30PM.

First up were the candidates for Judge of Circuit Court–Judge Amy Lorenzini and Sue Ann Armitage. Each candidate will appear on the Democratic and Republican ballots, and the winner of each ballot will move on to the General Election. If the same candidate wins both ballots, the race is decided in the primary; however, if a different candidate wins each contest, both candidates move forward to the General Election where the largest vote getter wins the race.

Provided three minutes for opening statements, the candidates’ talking points highlighted their qualifications. Judge Amy Lorenzini, currently serving, was appointed by Governor Hogan in 2022 after an extensive vetting process. Hogan has endorsed Judge Lorenzini. Judge Lorenzini has 20 years experience as a former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and trial attorney. She has worked in criminal and civil law, administrative appeals, adoptions, guardianships, and family law cases. Lorenzini pointed to her career roots as a clerk in the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court for Judge Kaminetz and afterward working in the State’s Attorney’s Office. Sue Ann Armitage cited her 30+ year legal career with experience in workers compensation and personal injury claims, estates, traffic and criminal law, and family law. Armitage is also a local business owner, jointly owning a law firm, and was endorsed by former Sheriff Tim Cameron. Both candidates have contributed to pro bono work during their careers, and extensively volunteer with various legal, and community, organizations.

Various questions were asked, and I encourage you to watch the forum (linked below) in full to hear them all. Questions submitted but not asked were provided to the candidates should they want to answer them elsewhere. When asked how their experience has prepared them for the role, Judge Lorenzini said throughout her career, including as a member of the Maryland Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service, has gained a deep understanding of the various types of cases over which she currently presides. Mrs. Armitage explained she’s worked on “thousands” of cases during her career, from divorces, wills, and other family law to traffic and criminal courts, or the same types of cases over which she will preside if elected. Armitage has also served on the St. Mary’s County Bar Association.

Armitage said she believes current judges on the bench are doing a “good job making fair decisions,” but that she has concerns over her opponent’s light sentencing causing repeat offenders. Judge Lorenzini affirmed her belief in the justice system, saying it “works with the right people” in place following good procedures. Lorenzini denied the accusation of light sentencing, stating she had recently sentenced someone to 10 years, over the state recommended maximum of 4 years, for vehicular manslaughter. Both candidates did, however, agree that they aren’t politicians. Spending her life practicing law, Armitage doesn’t mince words and listens to the community, she explained. Judge Lorenzini stated simply, “I don’t want to be a politician, I want to be a Judge.”

Each candidate offered their judicial philosophy, which perhaps could summarize the pitch both women, with extensive legal backgrounds, are making to voters. Fair and impartial while applying the facts of the law, Mrs. Armitage said it’s important a judge have no biases. Judge Lorenzini explained her judicial philosophy in five points: being prepared and working hard, affording all parties due process, listening to the facts, maintaining an open mind, and upholding the rule of law with no personal agenda.

Reminder, early voting is May 2-9th, with Primary Election Day on May 14th. If you are registered Unaffiliated, you must change your registration by April 23rd, to either the Democratic or Republican party, to vote for Circuit Court Judge. Nearly 25% of registered voters in St. Mary’s County are registered Unaffiliated.

I’ll cover the Board of Education forums in a separate post.

Watch the forum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCxYmzAO18I&t=7011s