Mecklenburg sheriff’s in-house attorney to be new judge in Charlotte courthouse
Democratic judicial candidate George Guise won Tuesday’s primary race for Superior Court judge holding Seat 1 in North Carolina’s District 26C — which covers northern Mecklenburg County, according to unofficial election results.
He received 59.58% of the votes, finishing ahead of Caleb Newman, who received 40.42%, according to results posted on the website of the N.C. State Board of Elections. Across the district’s 17 precincts, 12,340 ballots were cast in the contest.
Guise answered a phone call from The Charlotte Observer as he walked into the front door of his home Tuesday at 10 p.m.
“Do we think it’s official?” he asked. Texts from friends buzzed his phone.
When he heard the latest numbers, Guise said he felt “grateful.” Grateful to the voters, to his family-run campaign, and especially to his wife — who he says worked harder than anyone, including him.
The 60-year-old said he was most looking forward to a good night’s sleep ahead of his first day back to work in the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office after taking about two weeks off for campaigning.
Who are Charlotte’s next likely judges?
Guise, who is currently the sheriff’s office in-house counsel, has more than 30 years of experience as a state and federal prosecutor, civil litigator and criminal defense attorney.
His opponent, Newman, is a Rowan County assistant district attorney who previously worked as a federal public defender and civil litigator.
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 10:32 PM.
