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Clerk of the Circuit Court · Harford County · 2026 Primary
The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the chief record-keeper for the county, managing all court documents for civil and criminal cases as well as property deeds and land records. This official is also responsible for issuing marriage and business licenses and swearing in various public officials. By overseeing these administrative functions, the Clerk ensures that legal records are accurately maintained and that essential government services are accessible to the public.
View all candidates in this raceMichelle L. Karczeski is the Republican Clerk of the Circuit Court for Harford County, having been elected to the position in 2022. She brings over 14 years of experience with the Maryland Judiciary, specifically as a contractor providing project management and IT consulting services through her business, SETA Consulting, LLC. Her professional background includes implementing revenue collection systems, jury management systems, and financial systems for courts across Maryland. A lifelong resident of Harford County and graduate of Frostburg State University, Karczeski is heavily involved in local community organizations, including the Harford County Republican Women’s Club and the Chesapeake Cancer Alliance. Her platform emphasizes gaining public trust through transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of court resources.
Sources: Campaign website
Decades of experience give Michelle the knowledge, skill and abilities to be your next Clerk of Court.
Gain and maintain public trust and confidence through transparency: Promote fairness, Increase customer satisfaction, Support efficient timely disposition of all case types.
Gain and maintain public trust and confidence through accountability: Implement efficiency, Avoid unnecessary delays – enabling courts to meet time standards, Plan and implement an efficient use of resources and determine effective results (measure and monitor performance).
Michelle is a mission-oriented individual providing service for the Department of Defense at the National level and the Maryland Judiciary at the State level. Now it is time to bring that experience home to Harford County and work to improve the local level.
Source: michellekarczeski.com
Transparency and Public Trust
Aims to increase fairness and customer satisfaction while ensuring the timely disposition of court cases.
“Gain and maintain public trust and confidence through transparency”
Accountability and Efficiency
Focuses on implementing efficient resource use, avoiding delays to meet court time standards, and monitoring performance results.
“Implement efficiency, Avoid unnecessary delays – enabling courts to meet time standards”
Technological Modernization
Utilizing her background in IT consulting to improve court systems, including financial and jury management systems.
“Michelle is an excellent candidate due to her knowledge of the Court... and effective use of technology!”
Former Clerk of the Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County, Scott MacGlashan, endorsed Karczeski, citing her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of court technology. Court administrators from Cecil and Washington counties have also praised her expertise in transitioning the judiciary to new IT systems and pilot programs.
“Gain and maintain public trust and confidence through transparency”
Source“Michelle is the Owner and President of SETA Consulting, LLC... The business is a small woman-owned Maryland-based business”
Source“Michelle believes in promoting positivity and giving back to the community. She has served as a volunteer supporting many local events and has had a life of active community involvement and fundraising.”
Source