Durham DA jumps into NC attorney general's race

Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry announced Friday she will run for attorney general, setting up a more competitive Democratic primary in the 2024 race.

"The people of North Carolina deserve an Attorney General who is fair, firm, and consistent," Deberry wrote in her announcement. "An Attorney General who will go to work for them every day no matter where they come from or who they are. My life's work has been dedicated to putting the people above politics and the people’s business first, as Attorney General of this state, that’s exactly what I will do.”

Charlotte U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson has been considered the Democratic front runner. Two other candidates, Duplin attorney Charles Ingram and Fayetteville attorney Tim Dunn, have also announced runs. Through a spokesman, Jackson said he welcomed Deberry to the race.

“As a former prosecutor and Army Major in the JAG Corps, Congressman Jackson has spent his life in public service, fighting for North Carolina families," Jackson spokesman Dylan Arant said. "We’re glad to welcome anyone to the race and hope that any primary can be positive and thoughtful.”

Deberry has been Durham's district attorney since 2018, and she was re-elected last year. She was previously a criminal defense attorney in her hometown of Hamlet, general counsel for the state Department of Health and Human Services and executive director of the nonprofit North Carolina Housing Coalition.

Filing in this race opens next month. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop is the only announced candidate.