District Court Judge Jeffrey Michael Wachs was touring colleges with his daughter in Boston Friday when he received a call from Gov. Martin O?Malley.
The governor said Wachs was being appointed this week to fill the vacancy on the Anne Arundel Circuit Court bench.
“We were in the middle of a college interview, so it was a big day for us,” Wachs said.
“I?m excited about handling more complicated cases, and the new and fresh challenges in my legal career.”
Wachs registered Monday for the Feb. 12 primary election. In order to serve a 15-year term as a circuit court judge, he must win both the primary and then the general election in November 2008. He is running unopposed in the primary, but other candidates could come forward for the general election.
“Outside of Republicans and Democrats, there are two recognized political parties in Maryland, so they can make a third-party nomination or run completely independent,” said Jared DeMarinis, director of the Candidacy and Campaign Finance Division at the State Board of Elections. “The candidate just has to file a declaration of intent to get on ballot by July 1.”
Wachs is a former court master who was appointed to the District Court bench by former Gov. Parris Glendening in December 2000. Wachs beat out five other candidates to get the position.
Wachs will be sworn in as a Circuit Court judge within the next 30 days and expects to be hearing cases full-time by January.
“Certainly, there is going to be a learning curve. I know I?ve got to work hard and make certain I?m up on the law,” he said. “I can?t wait to get to work.”
Wachs replaces Judge Joseph Manck, who retired in May after serving as an Anne Arundel Circuit judge since January 2002.
