Rowan County's elected-officials page lists Chris Sease as District Court 27 Seat #1 under the heading “Judges District Court 27 - 4-Year Term,” with a term expiration year of 2026.

County Elected Officials

Chris Sease serves as a District Court judge for North Carolina's 27th District, Seat 1.

County Elected Officials | Rowan County

Chris Sease serves as a District Court judge for North Carolina's 27th District.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Serves as a judge in North Carolina's 27th District in an elected four-year position.

As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

In a May 2022 campaign interview, the article reported that if elected Sease would explore bringing a drug-treatment-court jurisdiction to Rowan County. He said: “They have drug treatment courts elsewhere and it’d be nice to explore: is that something possible? Does it work? If we help address issues early on can it combat folks from reoffending? For a lot of people, substance abuse is a hard creature to break,” Sease said.

Sease wants to provide ‘fresh perspective’ in run for district court judge

Wants to explore whether a drug treatment court could address substance abuse and reduce reoffending.

- Wants to explore whether a drug treatment court could address substance abuse and reduce reoffending.

Judicial Administration

In his 2022 campaign for district court judge, Sease said he hoped to bring a unique viewpoint to the bench: “We’re a little complacent at the moment and that’s OK, there’s nothing wrong with that but we really could use some fresh perspective,” Sease said. “Honestly, from representing people everyday and hearing their stories and seeing the heartaches they have to go through, I really feel for that. As a judge, you have to have empathy, you have to have mercy, you’ve got to have understanding. But you also have to make decisions.”

Said judges must show empathy, mercy, and understanding while making decisions.

- Said judges must show empathy, mercy, and understanding while making decisions.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 5, 2026, Chris Sease’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Chris Sease

- Serves as a judge in North Carolina's 27th District in an elected four-year position.

Chris Sease is from Rowan County, North Carolina. He attended North Carolina State University and Pfeiffer University. He has a law degree from the University of North Carolina. He is married and has three children. He attends Christiana Lutheran Church.

New judge means Rowan District Court bench has female majority ...

Judicial Academy - The National Judicial College

Chris is an attorney. He started his legal career at Sherrill and Cameron law firm. 

Chris previously ran for Rowan County district court judge in 2022 but did not win.

Supports the courthouse becoming a family court jurisdiction to increase available court sessions for custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution cases.

Said he would explore efforts to bring a drug treatment court jurisdiction to Rowan County if elected.

Is president of the board of managers for Saleeby-Fisher YMCA and is on the Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA board.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.