Wake County District Attorney Declines to Run for Reelection
She previously prosecuted criminal cases against both political parties
Yesterday, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced that she would not seek another term. She was first elected District Attorney in 2014, and previously served as Wake’s clerk of court for eight years.
Here is what she said about this decision:
“Because I love this community and this work, this has been one of the more challenging personal decisions I have ever made: I announce today that I will not seek re-election as Wake County District Attorney. By the end of this term, I will have had the amazing opportunity to work on behalf of the people of this State for over 30 years — with the last twenty serving as an elected leader in our local courts. It has been a tremendous honor to represent the citizens of our county, but I believe it is time to find a new way to serve the community and give others the opportunity to bring a new energy and vision to the critical role of Wake County District Attorney. Between now and December of 2026, I will continue to work hard to keep our county safe, and continue to honor your confidence, but also to find ways to thank so many of you who have helped me carry the wight of this job.”
Notable Cases
The Wake County Prosecutor’s Office is often tasked with politically sensitive prosecutions. Here are some notable cases Freeman oversaw during her tenure.
Freeman oversaw the prosecution of McCrae Dowless, who worked for the Republican candidate, for his actions in the tainted 9th District Congressional Election in 2018.
She prosecuted Democrat State Auditor Beth Wood for misusing state-owned vehicles, which came to light after Wood fled the scene of an accident.
Finally, Freeman led efforts to prosecute then-Attorney General, now-Governor Josh Stein, over an election crime related to a false advertisement funded by the Stein campaign in 2020. This case was ultimately stopped by a federal judge, but a feud between Freeman and Stein remained.
Tim’s Take: Freeman earned her reputation as an even-handed prosecutor, holding both Democrats and Republicans accountable. Given the Wake County District Attorney office’s role in prosecuting state-level election crimes, this race will attract outsized attention.
