Who should lead the Wake DA’s office? 3 Democrats want your vote

For the first time in years, Wake County voters won’t see an incumbent’s name on the ballot for district attorney.

Instead, they’ll be asked to choose one of three candidates vying to become one of North Carolina’s most powerful prosecutors.

In the Tuesday, March 3, Democratic DA primary, voters will choose between Wiley Nickel, a former U.S. House member; Melanie Shekita, a long time Wake prosecutor; and Sherita Walton, a city of Raleigh police attorney.

With no Republican in the 2026 race, the primary will likely determine the next district attorney if one of the candidates receives over 30% of the vote. If that bar isn’t met, the second highest vote-getter could request a runoff.

The race marks a rare open seat for the powerful position — the first time in more than a decade.

After overseeing prosecutions in Wake County since 2014, District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced last year that she wouldn’t seek re-election.

Like other district attorneys across the state, the Wake DA decides whether to seek the death penalty, whether to prosecute local police and what diversion programs to support. Since Wake also houses the state capital, the DA also directs investigations into state government officials accused of wrongdoing,

About Wiley Nickel

Before Nickel opened his Cary law practice, he served in President Barack Obama’s White House. He worked on Obama’s advance team from 2008 to 2011. The team made preparations for the president’s public appearances, The News & Observer reported. He held a similar role for Al Gore when he was vice president.

In 2022, Wiley won the congressional seat in North Carolina’s 13th District . He decided not to seek the seat again after his district was redrawn to favor Republicans.

After announcing in late 2023 that he would run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Thom Tillis, Nickel exited the race this summer as Gov. Roy Cooper prepared to seek the seat.

“In this moment, we need a district attorney who will stand up for our rights and freedoms, hold corrupt politicians accountable, and defend our Constitution,” Nickel said in a news release confirming his run.

Wiley has been endorsed by The News & Observer’s editorial board, among others.

About Melanie Shekita

Shekita grew up in Raleigh, and attended UNC-Chapel Hill and Campbell Law School before she went on to work at the Wake DA’s office for nearly three decades. Currently, she oversees the Wake office’s special victims unit, which handles crimes against children and certain sexual assaults.

Her experience, knowledge of the area and history in the DA’s Office make her the best candidate to lead the office over the next four years, she said.

“It makes me uniquely qualified to make sure that this office continues to be the best office in the state,” Shekita told The News & Observer last year.

Shekita has been endorsed by Colon Willoughby, a former Wake DA for 28 years, and others.

About Sherita Walton

Starting in 2002, Walton worked in private practice in New York City, and then as a prosecutor in Manhattan. She and her family moved in 2016 to North Carolina, where she worked as an assistant district attorney under Freeman through 2021. Walton then accepted a job advising Raleigh police, where she currently works.

Walton is the first Black candidate in recent memory.

Walton said her experience in the two states and different job positions make her the best person to guide the office in a modern and thoughtful way.

“I believe that it is possible to hold people accountable but still treat people with dignity and respect,” she told The News & Observer last year.

Walton has been endorsed by Freeman and others.

This story was originally published February 28, 2026 at 7:00 AM.