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Veteran and educator JoAnn Fisher (R) of Oxon Hill said she is running for a judge of the Orphans' Court for Prince George's County because of her desire to bring compassion and sensitivity to the court.

"I have a passion for guardianship. It has to deal with children, adults and also people who are disabled and people who just can't care for themselves," said Fisher, 63, the only Republican to file in the race. "You must be sensitive, and you must oversee people's lives that will affect their personal quality of life and that is very, very serious to me."

There are three Orphans' Court judges for Prince George's County who serve four-year terms.

Democrats Athena Malloy Groves of Upper Marlboro and Vicky L. Ivory-Orem and Wendy A. Cartwright, both of Mitchellville, are the county's current judges of the Orphans' Court and have all filed for re-election.

Democrats Gary Byrd and Pamela Cherry also filed to run in the race. Democrat Tom Martin of Clinton withdrew from the race.

The filing deadline was July 6. Primary elections are scheduled for Sept. 14, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

The partisan race enables the top three vote-getters from the Democratic and Republican primaries to advance to the general election, said Donna Duncan, election management director for the Maryland State Board of Elections.

The Orphans' Court presides over cases that involve the administration of estates of persons who have died and hears cases regarding the guardianship of minors.

Fisher, who filed with the county's board of elections July 6, said if elected she does not know what changes she would implement, but would put empathy first.

"I'd like to be more sensitive to the issues and well-being of people who come before the Orphans' Court. The only thing I would like to enhance and add is caring and kindness to the court," Fisher said. "For me to talk about changes, I haven't been in the court."

Fisher, who served in the U.S. Navy for 15 years, was honorably discharged as a petty officer first class in 1991. She is currently a substitute teacher for Prince George's County Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools. She is not a lawyer.

Fisher, who unsuccessfully ran for County Council District 8 in 1998, the House of Delegates for Dist. 26 in 2002 and the school board for Dist. 8 in 2006, is a former member of and vice chair of the Republican Central Committee for Prince George's County.

"It's set up so that ordinary people can be judges. I feel that I do bring enough experience to be in that position," Fisher said of not being a lawyer but running for the position. "What I offer is my knowledge for how to get things done, how to work with other public officials within the system, my willingness and drive to just be there."

Holly Henderson, 35, of Fort Washington, a friend of Fisher's who has also worked with her on Republican political campaigns, described Fisher as genuine and kind.

"Her focus is on guardianship. With an aging senior population and the economy and things of that sort, addressing guardianship for youth and adults is something important to consider, so I like that aspect and I think it's an important aspect for voters to realize and understand," said Henderson, a Republican who is running of the state's House of Delegates for District 26.

Dale Anderson, 87, of Fort Washington said Fisher, whom he has known for 20 years through the county's Republican Central Committee, is a good candidate because of her sympathy for others.

"I think she would be an excellent judge of the Orphans' Court because she has a lot of sympathy for people who are running up against the government or some other situation," said Anderson, who plans to vote for Fisher. "I think she has sympathy for people, I think she would do well."

eskalski@gazette.net

JoAnn Fisher

Position sought and party affiliation: Prince George's County Judge of the Orphans' Court; Republican

Place of residence: Oxon Hill

How long lived in county: 21 years

Age: 63

Place of birth: Washington, D.C.

Current occupation: Substitute teacher for Prince George's County Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools

Education: Bachelor of Arts in applied behavioral science from National Louis-University, formerly National College of Education, in McLean, Va. in 1990; Master of Science in management from National Louis-University in McLean, Va. in 2006; Doctor of Education in organizational leadership, minor in early childhood from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., expected graduation June 2011

Community associations, involvement: Member of Glassmanor Citizens' Association; member of Inner Light Ministries in Southeast, Washington, D.C.

Professional associations: Junior vice for the Disabled American Veterans of Washington, D.C.; Chaplin for Chapter 14 of the Disabled American Veterans of Washington, D.C.

Family: Divorced; three children; four grandchildren

Campaign office address and telephone: 646 Maury Ave. Oxon Hill, MD 20745; 301-567-2315; jyf20745@yahoo.com