2026 North Carolina General Election

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

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Melanie Shekita has a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from Campbell University.

Melanie is an assistant district attorney. She works at the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, where she has been for 27 years. She previously worked as a firefighter.

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Melanie is an assistant district attorney the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. She previously worked as a firefighter.

Melanie Shekita's campaign for North Carolina District Attorney, District 10, Democratic Primary is her first entry into politics.

Melanie's campaign for District Attorney in Prosecutorial District 10 is her first entry into politics.

As a seasoned prosecutor with 27 years of courtroom experience at the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, has handled complex and sensitive cases, including sex crimes against children, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and homicidal violence.

As a prosecutor with 27 years of experience at the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuted "the most serious crimes, from child victim’s cases to capital murder."

- As a prosecutor with 27 years of experience at the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuted "the most serious crimes, from child victim’s cases to capital murder."

Legal Experience

Supports efficient prosecution of cases and ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve.

Advocates for enhanced training programs and resources for prosecutors and law enforcement to stay current with best practices in criminal justice.

Supports "enhanced training programs and resources for prosecutors and law enforcement."

For Candidate Melanie Shekita on Issue public-safety: Supports holding violent offenders accountable, implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce recidivism, and ensuring efficient prosecution for victims' justice.

Plans to reduce reoffending with "implementing evidence-based strategies."

For Candidate Melanie Shekita on Issue public-safety:  
Aims to work collaboratively with law enforcement to reduce violent crime.

Aims to work collaboratively with law enforcement to reduce violent crime.

For Candidate Melanie Shekita on Issue public-safety:  
Aims to build a coalition to address concerns about equity, justice, and law enforcement in Wake County.

Plans to build a coalition to address concerns about equity, justice, and law enforcement in Wake County.

- Supports efficient prosecution of cases and ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve.
- Supports "enhanced training programs and resources for prosecutors and law enforcement."
- Plans to reduce reoffending with "implementing evidence-based strategies."
- Aims to work collaboratively with law enforcement to reduce violent crime.
- Plans to build a coalition to address concerns about equity, justice, and law enforcement in Wake County.

Public Safety

As of January 2, 2026, Melanie Shekita’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Melanie Shekita

Melanie has a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from Campbell University.

Melanie Shekita's campaign for District Attorney in Prosecutorial District 10 is her first entry into politics.

- Melanie has 27 years of experience at the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, where prosecuted "the most serious crimes, from child victim’s cases to capital murder."

Matthew Tomas

Buket Urgen

Sherita is from Brooklyn, New York. She attended Binghamton University. She has a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and a juris doctor degree from Pace University in White Plains, New York. She lives with her husband and two children in Wake County.

Sherita Walton Launches Bid for Wake County District Attorney ...

Sherita Walton is from Brooklyn, New York. She has a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and a juris doctor degree from Pace University. She lives with her husband and two children in Wake County.

Sherita currently works as a senior associate city attorney advising the Raleigh Police Department. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, and earlier in her career as an attorney at a private law firm.

Sherita Walton’s campaign for North Carolina District Attorney, District 10 (Democratic Primary) is her first entry into politics.

Sherita’s campaign for North Carolina District Attorney is her first entry into politics.

As an Assistant District Attorney for eight years in the Manhattan DA’s office and nearly five years in the Wake County DA’s office, gained extensive legal experience in prosecution.

Serves as a Senior Associate City Attorney advising the Raleigh Police Department.

- As an Assistant District Attorney for eight years in the Manhattan DA’s office and nearly five years in the Wake County DA’s office, gained extensive legal experience in prosecution.
- Serves as a Senior Associate City Attorney advising the Raleigh Police Department.

For Candidate Sherita Walton on Issue public-safety:  
Prioritizes the prosecution of violent crimes, including gun violence, sexual assault, and domestic abuse, to ensure the safety of Wake County residents.

Prioritizes the prosecution of violent crimes, including gun violence, sexual assault, and domestic abuse.

Supports expanding access to diversion and prevention programs that reduce recidivism, including mental health diversion and youth intervention programs.

- Prioritizes the prosecution of violent crimes, including gun violence, sexual assault, and domestic abuse.
- Supports expanding access to diversion and prevention programs that reduce recidivism, including mental health diversion and youth intervention programs.

As of January 2, 2026, Sherita Walton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sherita Walton

- Prioritizes the prosecution of violent crimes, including gun violence, sexual assault, and domestic abuse, to ensure the safety of Wake County residents.
- Supports expanding access to diversion and prevention programs that reduce recidivism, including mental health diversion and youth intervention programs.

Wiley Nickel is married to his wife, Caroline, and they live in Cary with their two young children. He previously worked for President Obama.

Wiley Nickel exits North Carolina Senate race the day after Roy ...

Wiley Nickel lives in Cary. He has a wife and two children. 

Former US Rep. Wiley Nickel officially announces Senate campaign ...

Wiley previously served as a member of the North Carolina State Senate from 2021 to 2023. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 but did not win.

North Carolina's 13th Congressional District election, 2022 ...

Wiley previously served as a U.S. representative for the state of North Carolina from 2023 to 2025 and as a North Carolina state senator from 2019 to 2023.

As a North Carolina State Senator, Nickel authored legislation to legalize medical marijuana.

Wiley is a current practicing Wake County attorney. 

- Wiley is a current practicing Wake County attorney. 

Prioritizes tackling gun violence, drug trafficking, violent crime, and property theft while supporting drug diversion programs for nonviolent offenders.

Prioritizes tackling gun violence, drug trafficking, violent crime, and property theft while also supporting drug diversion programs focused on addressing nonviolent offenders.

Supports expanding victim support services, strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, and collaborating with community organizations to prevent abuse.

Supports expanding victim support services, strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, and collaborating with community organizations to address abuse.

Supports tougher penalties for repeat offenders and investment in specialized training for prosecutors handling sensitive cases.

Supports tougher penalties for repeat offenders while investing in specialized training for prosecutors handling sensitive cases.

Plans to establish a Community Engagement Office to build relationships with local law enforcement, community leaders, and residents.

Plans to establish a Community Engagement Office to build relationships with local law enforcement and the community.

Plans to create a full-time mental health court for Wake County to address community challenges.

Supports tackling the increase in hate crimes against Jewish, Asian, and Muslim-American communities.

Supports gun control measures, including banning assault weapons and ghost guns, implementing universal background checks, and promoting safe storage laws for firearms. As District Attorney, plans to enforce strict penalties on those using guns for violent crimes.

Supports gun control measures, including banning assault weapons and ghost guns, implementing universal background checks, and promoting safe storage laws for firearms. 

- Prioritizes tackling gun violence, drug trafficking, violent crime, and property theft while also supporting drug diversion programs focused on addressing nonviolent offenders.
- Supports expanding victim support services, strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, and collaborating with community organizations to address abuse.
- Supports tougher penalties for repeat offenders while investing in specialized training for prosecutors handling sensitive cases.
- Plans to establish a Community Engagement Office to build relationships with local law enforcement and the community.
- Plans to create a full-time mental health court for Wake County to address community challenges.
- Supports tackling the increase in hate crimes against Jewish, Asian, and Muslim-American communities.
- Supports gun control measures, including banning assault weapons and ghost guns, implementing universal background checks, and promoting safe storage laws for firearms. 

As of January 2, 2026, Wiley Nickel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Wiley Nickel

Wiley previously served as a a North Carolina House of Representative member from 2023-2025 and as a North Carolina State Senator from 2019 to 2023. 

Plans to create a website and communicate regularly with Wake County citizens about the work of the District Attorney’s Office.

- The district attorney prosecutes all criminal cases filed in District and Superior Courts.
- They advise local law enforcement on which cases to pursue and how to collect proper evidence for those cases.
- The district attorney may institute court proceedings on behalf of the State, its agencies, or its citizens in any and all public interest matters. This means they play an important role in keeping the public safe.
The district attorney is elected for a four-year term in partisan elections. 

Prosecutes criminal cases and represents the state in local courts. 

North Carolina District Attorney, District 10, Democratic Primary

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