Your correspondent of May 2, Dan Donahue, must be confused about the recent primary elections. Republicans appreciated their opportunity to vote for a “qualified” judge when they cast votes for a moderate Democrat, Joe Stanalonis.

Presumably, they joined with a number of moderate Democrats by rejecting the candidate of the O’Malley/big city/big county Democrat machine, which only rewards and appoints those who are committed to a tax-plenty, spend-plenty rule and philosophy of government.

Independents, unable to participate in the primary voting by lack of party designation, will have the opportunity to choose between a moderate Democrat and a Gov. Martin O’Malley appointee on Nov. 6 without the help of Mr. Donahue’s “Republicans and Independents for a Qualified Judge” group.

Tom Burke, Hollywood