George Guise, a Davidson attorney and Democrat, is running for North Carolina Superior Court in District 26C, Seat 1, in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The State Board of Elections candidate list identifies him as John G. Guise, with George Guise as his ballot name.
Experience and education
Guise’s campaign biography describes more than 35 years of legal experience. He lists Davidson College in 1987 and Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1990.
His career includes civil litigation in Atlanta in 1990–91, prosecution in DeKalb County, Georgia, in 1991–95 and Mecklenburg County in 1995–97, and several Davidson College roles in 1999–2010. He lists service as an assistant U.S. attorney in western North Carolina in 2010–17, private practice at Copeland Richards in 2017–19, and in-house counsel to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office since 2019.
His campaign lists legal committee work with sheriffs’ organizations, service on Mecklenburg County criminal justice and courthouse security committees, and work as a Teen Court judge. He also lists past board service with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and McCrorey YMCA.
Judicial priorities
In a February 2026 Charlotte Observer questionnaire, Guise identified criminal case backlogs as a priority. He called for additional prosecutors, defense lawyers, court staff and judges, alongside more efficient work with existing resources.
On eCourts, Guise said judges should intervene when a technology failure threatens an individual’s rights, including finding alternatives in individual cases when necessary.
He described judicial independence, impartial application of the law, due process and equal protection as central values. He also advocated training on implicit racial bias and consistent practices to ensure fair treatment throughout criminal proceedings.
His campaign endorsement page lists Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox, Huntersville Mayor Christy Clark and Thomas W. Ross among his supporters.
Policy descriptions summarize Guise’s stated positions; campaign biographical claims are attributed to him.
