Cheek's Name To Appear On Ballot Opposite Nifong's

Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong will have company on the ballot in November.

Despite essentially winning the district attorney's job in the primary -- because he defeated both Democratic challengers and there were no Repulicans -- he now faces another candidate.

Mike Ashe of the Durham County Board of Elections said Lewis Cheek will exceed the required number of signatures Monday afternoon to make the ballot for DA this fall.

Although Cheek said he has not fully decided to run, and is still considering professional and personal issues as well as when best to make that decision, a news conference is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., according to a Cheek representative.

If he decides to run, he will do so as an unaffiliated candidate.

Nifong has come under fire for his handling of a case involving a woman who said she was raped by three Duke lacrosse players.

The players maintain they are innocent.