Wiley Nickel is a Democratic politician, former U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 13th Congressional District , and former North Carolina State Senator. A criminal defense attorney with his own firm in Cary since 2011, he flipped a Republican-held seat in 2022, one of only six such Democratic gains nationwide. Notable achievements include advocating for environmental protections like "polluter pays" legislation and PFAS pollution bans, defending voting rights, supporting law enforcement funding, and pushing for abortion access and lower prescription drug costs. He earned a 90% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters and a liberal voting record . After Republicans redrew maps, he could not run for re-election and announced a campaign for District Attorney.

Education and Political Experience

• Early Career: Worked on national advance staff for Vice President Al Gore and President Barack Obama; unsuccessfully ran for California State Senate in 2006.
• *State Senate *: Elected in 2018 and 2020; served on Judiciary, Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources, Redistricting, Pensions/Retirement/Aging, and Appropriations committees. Led on climate action, fair maps, dark money reform, voter access expansion, child literacy, school nurses, and affordable healthcare.
• *U.S. Congress *: Focused on reproductive rights, anti-gerrymandering, police/first responder funding, and working families' interests.