Former Congressman Wiley Nickel (D) cruises to win primary for Wake County District Attorney
Former Democratic U.S. House Rep. Wiley Nickel will likely replace longtime Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, who decided last year not to seek reelection.
Nickel entered the race with more name recognition than his two challengers, Assistant District Attorney Melanie Shekita and attorney Sherita Walton, who advises the Raleigh Police Department. Nickel served in the state Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives (NC-13) before being drawn out of the district by redistricting.
No Republican filed for this race, making Nickel virtually certain to be Wake County’s next DA, having captured 49% of the unofficial primary vote. Walton secured 30% of the votes cast, with Shekita trailing in third place with 20% of the vote.
The Wake DA’s office manages over 100,000 cases annually. Perhaps more importantly, it’s the district attorney who decides whether state corruption cases are prosecuted.
https://ncnewsline.com/2026/03/03/former-congressman-wiley-nickel-cruises-to-win-primary-for-wake-county-district-attorney/