Former Rep. Wiley Nickel is running to become the top prosecutor in North Carolina’s largest county
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) 鈥 A former North Carolina Democratic congressman whose bid for U.S. Senate ended several weeks ago announced Tuesday that he is running to become the top prosecutor in the state鈥檚 largest county.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) 鈥 A former North Carolina Democratic congressman whose bid for U.S. Senate ended several weeks ago announced Tuesday that he is running to become the top prosecutor in the state鈥檚 largest county.
Ex-U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, who also served previously as a state legislator, said he wants to become the next Wake County district attorney. Current DA Lorrin Freeman has said she will not seek another four-year term in 2026.
Nickel, a lawyer who also once worked as a White House staffer in Barack Obama鈥檚 administration, said in a news release that he鈥檚 running to bring his experience 鈥渂ack to the local level and drive real change for our criminal justice system.鈥
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Nickel was elected in 2022 to the U.S. House from a Raleigh-area swing district. But he decided against seeking a second term in 2024 because he said the district鈥檚 redrawing by the General Assembly made it essentially impossible to win again.
Nickel formally launched this past April, but he stepped aside in late July the day after former Democratic and Nickel endorsed Cooper.
Nickel鈥檚 kickoff statement Tuesday hit on national themes, accusing President Donald Trump and 鈥渞ight-wing extremists鈥 of 鈥渢rying to take away our freedoms.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 running to increase support for police and first responders and to make sure our justice system is more fair, more accountable, and more focused on real public safety,鈥 Nickel said. 鈥淚n this moment, we need a District Attorney who will stand up for our rights and freedoms, hold corrupt politicians accountable, and defend our Constitution.鈥
At least two other Democrats are running for the post, including longtime Wake County DA office prosecutor and , now a Raleigh city attorney who advises the police department.
The Wake County post may be the most high-profile local prosecutor in the state because the job often handles government corruption and election law violation cases.
Party primaries will be held in March, with the general election in the Democratic-leaning county scheduled for November 2026.
