Four years ago, Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry F. Barnes ran unopposed for re-election. This year, he has a challenger - and he seems downright happy about it.
"I think competition is very healthy," said Barnes, a Republican seeking his third term as Carroll's top prosecutor. "It gives you an opportunity and forum to talk about the successes of the office over the past eight years."
On that topic, Barnes is quick to gesture toward office walls covered with commendations, and he is eager to talk about his efforts, such as fighting domestic violence, child abuse and drugs; supporting victims' rights and increased use of mediation to divert small matters from the court docket.
But his opponent, Eldersburg lawyer and community activist Richard S. Nacewicz, says that one needs to look beyond the courthouse to find the best choice for state's attorney.
"The big issue, I think, is Jerry's lack of experience in fields other than just being a prosecutor," Nacewicz said. "From his brochures, we know he's a soldier, and has 25 years as prosecutor - and that's the gist of what he has to say.
"There's nothing wrong with any of that," Nacewicz, 70, added. "But it's not a broad kind of experience, unlike my own, which is pretty much as an advocate and as a manager."
That message puzzles Barnes.
"There is no substitution for experience in this job," said Barnes, 54, a decorated Vietnam-era Green Beret who began his legal career in Carroll as a law clerk in 1976 for State's Attorney Thomas E. Hickman. In 1994, he defeated Hickman to win the state's attorney's job. Since then, he said he has personally prosecuted thousands of cases - and still goes to court himself, with a staff of 16 prosecutors with years of experience. "I'm pleased with the results of our prosecutorial efforts because I'm not interested in rhetoric. I'm only interested in results."
Barnes appears to have raised enough in campaign contributions to give him a large advantage. He had raised more than $22,000 and spent about $17,600 through late last month, while Nacewicz raised $1,175 and spent less than $1,000, according to reports filed with election officials.
Nacewicz, a Carroll resident since 1996, is a board member of Freedom Area Citizens Council and has been active in many community groups in Carroll and Prince George's counties. He operates a general law practice from his home and has handled what he described as a few "simple" criminal cases, but he worked primarily for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where he helped to develop industry standards. Nacewicz went to law school at age 49 to become an advocate for the developmentally disabled on behalf of an autistic son, now 39.
Nacewicz played down his lack of experience as prosecutor.
"Serious criminals: That's not hard to take care of. The rules are down there. It's not rocket science," he said. "He brags about his excellent staff, and that's fine. I'll be glad to use them."
The state's attorney's race is one of several at the courthouse. Incumbents are seeking re-election in races for clerk of court and Orphans' Court judge, while a newcomer will be elected to take over the job as register of wills.
Larry W. Shipley, 57, seeks re-election as clerk of the court - a position he has held since 1978. He has worked in the clerk's office for 34 years.
His Democratic challenger is James L. McCarron Jr., 55, Taneytown's vice mayor. McCarron, in his fourth term as a city councilman, is making his first run for countywide office. He retired early this month after 35 years as a district manager for Southern States. Now he works with his son's mortgage business.
When he began campaigning in July, McCarron said, he talked about technology. But he added, "Since that time, my opponent's decided he's on the high-tech road, too. ... So I decided to stress my leadership abilities.
"I think my background as a district manager would help me greatly as a county clerk," he said. "My whole career was on the people side of management."
Like Barnes, Shipley said he was puzzled that his challenger attacked what he sees as a strength.
"He tried to make it appear I haven't done anything, when in fact we have been the front-runner in technology," Shipley said, outlining several programs, including a case-management system in 1990 for which Carroll was the pilot county for the state.
In the register of wills race, voters will for the first time in more than three decades elect someone to the office who is not an incumbent.
The current officeholder, Nancy L. Airing, is stepping down after seven years in the post, and 25 years working in the office. She took over the job, which is the equivalent of the clerk of the Orphans' Court, when Reese L. Starner died in office in 1995 after being elected to an eighth term.
Paul G. Zimmerman, 49, of Westminster is the Republican candidate for the position. A lawyer for 20 years, he was an assistant county attorney in Carroll for six years, and has held the same post in Frederick County for the past eight years. Zimmerman said his experience with issues, such as zoning, liquor board regulations and ethics, makes him "a good fit for the job."
The Democratic candidate, John Lockard Barnes, 75, of Millers retired in 1987 as an accountant for the U.S. Treasury but keeps an office in Silver Spring for his lobbying and paid paralegal work. He is a member of the Democratic Central Committee and has been president of the North Carroll Democratic Club since 1994. If elected, Barnes plans to hold seminars with attorneys and accountants to help encourage people to ensure they have a valid will.
Three Republicans are running for re-election to be part-time judges of the Orphans' Court, which oversees settlement of estates. Chief Judge Dorothy V. "Dottie" Utz, 75, of Westminster is seeking a third term.
Herbert J. Reisig Sr., 66, of Finksburg a retired FBI agent with a law degree who is president of the Maryland Association of Judges of the Orphans' Court is seeking a second term, while John David Carbaugh, 69, a retired publicist for the Dairy Farmers of America and part-time real estate agent, was appointed last year and now is seeking election.
The lone Democratic challenger is George E. Maloney, 70, of New Windsor, chairman of the board of the New Windsor Citizens Action Project.
An electrician at The Washington Post for 15 years, the Korean War veteran has also taught vocational courses in Baltimore and area community colleges.