The race for Justice Court Judge District 2 has two great candidates vying for the position leaving a difficult choice for voters.

Incumbent candidate, Democrat Eileen Mary Maher, has served on the bench since 2017 after beating opponent Danny Barber by one vote.

Barber had been one of three Justice Court Judges serving 12 years on the bench from 1992 until 2004, when the census reduced Adams County’s Justice Court Judge positions from three to two eliminating his seat.

Barber has a reputation as a fair and honest judge who is firm on crime but also is compassionate. Barber set up a work release program for the justice court system and has a reputation for being strict on domestic violence and animal cruelty.

After the census eliminated his judge seat, Barber went on to work in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office from which he retired in 2016.

Barber has made a good run this year as an independent candidate and certainly has the experience and knowledge to do the job.

Maher also has served well on the bench having set up mental health treatment options for eligible justice court defendants, expanding work release programs to include women and taking a strong stand against animal cruelty defendants.

Maher has filled in on her on time working double duty for many months when District 1 Justice Court Judge Patricia Dunmore took a leave of absence.

Not only has Maher gone above the call of duty, she also has implemented effective changes to the justice court system.

Through her diligent service and commitment to the job, we believe Maher deserves to be re-elected to the bench.

In this race, we endorse Maher for Adams County Justice Court Judge in the Southern District.