Published October 19, 2026 at 12:36 PM EDT

Wake County voters will choose between incumbent Sheriff Willie Rowe and Republican challenger Kenny Blackwell on Nov. 3, while former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel is poised to become the county's next district attorney after winning the Democratic primary in March and facing no opposition in the general election.

The sheriff oversees law enforcement and jail operations, while the district attorney is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases.

Rowe, a Democrat, is seeking a second term as Wake County sheriff. He spent nearly three decades with the sheriff's office before retiring in 2013 as the major overseeing the Special Operations Division. He first ran for Sheriff in 2022 when he edged out incumbent sheriff Gerald Baker in the Democratic primary, and went on to defeat Donnie Harrison in the general election. Earlier in his career, he served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1985.

Rowe has cited recruitment, employee development and mental health services among the priorities of his first term. He says his office hired more than 300 employees, established career-development programs and expanded crisis-intervention training and resources for people in custody who have mental health or substance-use needs.

Jail overcrowding has also emerged as a significant challenge for the office.

Wake County's two detention facilities have a combined capacity of 1,574 people and, according to Rowe, the average jail population reached 1,778 in July. In August, Rowe urged local law enforcement agencies to consider alternatives to arrest for some suspected nonviolent offenses when appropriate.

The issue exemplifies the demands facing the sheriff's office as it manages detention facilities alongside its law enforcement responsibilities.

Blackwell, the Republican challenger, has worked in several law enforcement roles, including as a Wake County deputy, a U.S. marshal and an investigator with the State Capitol Police. He retired from the Capitol Police in January, according to his campaign.

His campaign has emphasized reducing response times, combating fentanyl and human trafficking, expanding mental health services and increasing pay for deputies and detention officers. Blackwell has also called for a community-focused approach to public safety.

The Wake County Republican Party has endorsed Blackwell.

The district attorney's race has no general-election contest.

Nickel, a former congressman and state senator, won the March primary with 48.96% of the vote, defeating Raleigh city attorney Sherita Walton and Assistant District Attorney Melanie Shekita, according to official election results.

He launched a U.S. Senate campaign in April 2025 but withdrew after former Gov. Roy Cooper entered the race. He endorsed Cooper before announcing his bid for district attorney.

No Republican filed for the general election, leaving Nickel unopposed on the November ballot.

Nickel is seeking to succeed District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, who has held the position since 2014 and decided not to seek another term.

Unlike sheriff, the district attorney does not oversee a police force or jail. The office represents the state in criminal prosecutions, prepares cases for trial, works with law enforcement agencies and supervises assistant district attorneys and other staff.