DURHAM, N.C. — A group of local residents have formed a political-action committee to support Durham County Commissioner Lewis Cheek's candidacy for district attorney -- even though Cheek isn't running for the office.

Cheek withdrew his name from consideration for district attorney last month, after supporters obtained enough signatures from registered voters to places his name on the November ballot as an independent candidate.

But some residents are so determined to oust District Attorney Mike Nifong that they have started raising funds to secure Cheek's election.

The PAC is called Recall Nifong - Vote Cheek, or RNVC, and has obtained four contributions so far.

Nifong's handling of the

rape investigation involving the Duke University lacrosse team

has incensed RNVC members, organizer Beth Brewer said.

If Cheek were elected, Gov. Mike Easley would have to appoint a district attorney.

"We trust he would look at what Durham voters are saying and would appoint someone in there who would unify Durham instead of tear us apart," Brewer said.

Nifong said he didn't know enough about the effort to comment on it Monday.

Three of RNVC's contributions came from New England, but Brewer said she doesn't know if those contributors are Duke supporters or not.