Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel said Tuesday that he plans to run for Wake County district attorney, making official an effort to fill the seat being vacated by longtime DA Lorin Freeman, who is backing another Democrat in the race.

“In Congress, I took on the powerful and well connected to defend the right to vote, protect abortion access in North Carolina, and stop big corporations from price gouging working families,” Nickel, a Cary Democrat, said in a news release, adding that he’s running for county prosecutor to drive “real change” for Wake County.

“I’m 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,” Nickel said. “In this moment, we need a district attorney who wil

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