Wake County 2026 election results: Nickel cruises to primary win in DA’s race
Wake County voters chose former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel as their next district attorney Tuesday, giving him the win in a three-way Democratic primary to replace longtime top prosecutor Lorrin Freeman.
Because no Republican filed for the race, Nickel is expected to become Wake County’s next district attorney, leading one of North Carolina’s most powerful prosecutor’s offices.
He said his top priority will be keeping Wake families safe. “We will focus our resources on prosecuting violent crime, supporting victims, and ensuring that those who threaten our community are held accountable,” Nickel wrote in a Facebook post.
All who break the law, including elected leaders and powerful political insiders, will be held accountable, Nickel said. He also said that he would fight federal officials if they try to violate the rights of Wake County residents or attempt to use the justice system to “advance an extreme political agenda.” “This is a serious moment that demands steady leadership and action,” Nickel said.
Nickel defeated longtime Wake prosecutor Melanie Shekita and Sherita Walton, an attorney for the Raleigh Police Department.
With all precincts reporting, he finished with 49% of the vote, followed by Walton with 30% and Shekita with 21%.
Freeman announced earlier this year she wouldn’t run for a fourth term, creating a rare open seat for the position.
Nickel steps into the top prosecutor’s position after shutting down his congressional campaign for outgoing Republican Thom Tillis’ U.S. Senate seat over the summer. He shifted to the Wake DA race after former Gov. Roy Cooper announced he would run for Senate.
Like top prosecutors across North Carolina, Wake’s district attorney decides whether to pursue the death penalty, whether to charge local police officers accused of excessive force, and which diversion programs to back. Since Wake is home to the state capital, the DA also oversees investigations involving state government officials accused of wrongdoing.
Nickel 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.
This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 9:43 PM.