RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — According to sources close to the campaign, former NC Democratic congressman Wiley Nickel is running for Wake County District Attorney.

Nickel was a two-term state senator before being elected into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. He later served NC’s 13th congressional district — which at the time encompassed all of Johnston County as well as southern Wake County and parts of Harnett and Wayne counties — for one two-year term.

Redistricting left the district heavily Republican making it all but impossible for a Democrat to win that seat.

Wiley Nickel instead chose to run for US Senate, but later dropped out after former governor Roy Cooper announced his own campaign for Senate. Nickel then endorsed Cooper.

Gov. Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley for the seat currently held by Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis is not running for a third term.

Nickel earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Tulane University and earned his law degree at Pepperdine University School of Law. He is expected to formally announce his running on Tuesday.

Current DA Lorrin Freeman announced earlier this year that she is not seeking reelection.