{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Spencer Merriweather","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nSpencer Benjamin Merriweather III serves as the District Attorney for North Carolina\u2019s 26th Prosecutorial District [1]. He is the incumbent Democratic candidate seeking re-election in the 2026 race for the position [4]. The general election for this district is scheduled for November 3, 2026 [5].\n\nMerriweather has secured endorsements from progressive organizations during his current campaign cycle. The LGBTQ+ Democrats of Mecklenburg County awarded him a \"Sufficient\" rating on their 2026 Scorecard [4]. His campaign website outlines a platform focused on protecting women and children, ensuring safe communities, providing second chances for offenders, and building community trust through initiatives such as The Umbrella Center [6].\n\nIn recent professional developments, Merriweather was elected as a Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association for the 2024-2025 term [9]. He has also been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award by Governor Josh Stein for his service to the state and community [8]. Additionally, he participated in discussions regarding Operation Safe Season alongside Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Estella Patterson and U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson [7].\n\n## Background and education\n\nSpencer Benjamin Merriweather III was born in Charlotte, North Carolina [1]. He is a graduate of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history [1]. Merriweather subsequently received his Juris Doctor from the UNC School of Law [1].\n\n## Career\n\nSpencer Benjamin Merriweather III was appointed as the District Attorney for North Carolina's 26th Prosecutorial District [6]. He subsequently won election to the position in the May 17, 2022 Democratic primary [2]. In that race, he faced incumbent Tim Emry [3].\n\nWhile serving as District Attorney, Merriweather has held leadership roles within professional organizations. In July 2024, he was elected as a Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association for the 2024-2025 term [9]. He also serves on the board of directors for the North Carolina District Attorneys Association [1].\n\nIn recognition of his service, Merriweather received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from Governor Josh Stein [8]. This honor is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments [8].\n\n## Office history\n\nSpencer Merriweather was appointed to serve as District Attorney for North Carolina\u2019s 26th Prosecutorial District in Mecklenburg County [6]. He subsequently won election to the position in the 2022 Democratic primary, defeating incumbent Tim Emry to secure the party's nomination for the general election [2][3].\n\nMerriweather has also held leadership roles within professional organizations. In July 2024, he was elected as a Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association for the 2024-2025 term [9].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nAs a District Attorney, Spencer Merriweather does not sponsor legislative bills or cast votes in a legislative capacity, as the role is an executive prosecutorial position rather than a legislative one [1]. His policy focus centers on \"Spencer\u2019s Plan,\" which emphasizes protecting women and children, ensuring safe communities, providing second chances for offenders, and building community trust through initiatives like The Umbrella Center [6]. He has stated that justice should not be dictated by race, zip code, or wealth, aiming to ensure fairness in the prosecution of cases [10].\n\nMerriweather has engaged in policy implementation through inter-agency collaboration, such as joining Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Estella Patterson and U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson to discuss \"Operation Safe Season\" [7]. He serves as a Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association for the 2024-2025 term, where he has spoken on community-focused initiatives like The Umbrella Center [9]. His professional recognition includes receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from Governor Josh Stein for significant contributions to the state and communities [8].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Spencer Merriweather - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Spencer_Merriweather)\n[2] [North Carolina 26th Prosecutorial District Attorney election, 2022 ...](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_26th_Prosecutorial_District_Attorney_election,_2022_(May_17_Democratic_primary))\n[3] [Two candidates running for district attorney in North Carolina's 26th ...](https://news.ballotpedia.org/2022/05/06/two-candidates-running-for-district-attorney-in-north-carolinas-26th-prosecutorial-district/)\n[4] [Endorsements for Spencer Merriweather - Blue Voter Guide](https://bluevoterguide.org/NC/candidate_Spencer_Merriweather/296338)\n[5] [North Carolina Prosecutorial Court District 26 with Endorsements](https://bluevoterguide.org/district/NC/North_Carolina_Prosecutorial_Court_District_26/35934/644)\n[6] [About Spencer](https://merriweatherforda.com/about-spencer/)\n[7] [This afternoon, DA Merriweather joined Charlotte-Mecklenburg ...](https://www.facebook.com/charmeckda/videos/this-afternoon-da-merriweather-joined-charlotte-mecklenburg-police-department-ch/1519343172654980/)\n[8] [This morning, DA Merriweather, along with 11 other recipients was ...](https://www.facebook.com/charmeckda/videos/this-morning-da-merriweather-along-with-11-other-recipients-was-presented-the-or/1101904038527222/)\n[9] [District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has been elected as a Vice ...](https://www.facebook.com/charmeckda/posts/district-attorney-spencer-merriweather-has-been-elected-as-a-vice-president-of-t/860620949430182/)\n[10] [Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney's Office - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/charmeckda/posts/people-just-want-to-know-and-they-want-to-see-that-youre-being-fair-district-att/580547084104238/)","firstname":"Spencer","lastname":"Merriweather","middlename":"Benjamin","suffix":"III","token":"d0d845a9fa63a4d7"},"token":"sBkbxmp7-f2BNX8Q"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"district_attorney_general","o.office":"district_attorney","office":"district_attorney","officedescription":"The district attorney general is the elected chief prosecutor for a judicial district \u2014 deciding what cases are charged, presenting cases to the grand jury, and prosecuting criminal matters. It is a leadership role over a public-law office with wide discretion.","officequalities":"- Prosecutorial leadership of a district attorney's office of attorneys, investigators, and victim-services staff.\n- Working knowledge of Tennessee criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, and prosecutorial ethics under the Rules of Professional Conduct.\n- Charging-policy judgment that shapes the whole criminal-court docket \u2014 what is presented to the grand jury, diverted, or resolved by plea.\n- Budget and personnel management of a public-law-office operation.\n- Public-facing communication on cases of community concern, in cooperation with police, courts, and victim communities.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"District Attorney","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"District Attorney District 26"}