{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Jeffrey A. Marsigli","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Jeffrey A.\u202fMarsigli is the elected District Attorney for North Carolina\u2019s 8th Prosecutorial District, which covers Edgecombe, Nash, and Wilson counties. He is a Republican who won the office in the November\u202f8,\u202f2022 general election, defeating incumbent Democrat Robert\u202fEvans after a recount confirmed his 79\u2011vote margin of victory (38,382 to 38,303)\u301010\u2020L19-L27\u3011. As District Attorney, Marsigli oversees a staff of 22 assistant district attorneys, manages three Superior Court judges and seven District Court judges, and aims to prosecute roughly 50 felony cases each year, a target he reported as nearly met in 2023\u301012\u2020L7-L15\u3011.\n\nMarsigli earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science with a criminal\u2011justice option from North Carolina State University in 1997 and a Juris Doctor from Campbell University in 2002\u301010\u2020L31-L33\u3011. He began his legal career in private practice in Rocky\u202fMount before joining the prosecutor\u2019s office as an assistant district attorney under Evans, serving from January\u202f2019 until July\u202f2021\u301010\u2020L34-L36\u3011. After his election, he emphasized a hands\u2011on approach to prosecution, stating that \u201ccrime is out of control\u201d and that a District Attorney must personally participate in court processes to remove dangerous criminals from the streets\u30101\u2020L1-L5\u3011.\n\nDuring his tenure, Marsigli has focused on violent crime and drug\u2011related offenses, particularly fentanyl. He reported the district\u2019s first conviction for death\u2011by\u2011distribution in Wilson County and highlighted collaboration with the three county sheriffs to target fentanyl trafficking\u301012\u2020L1-L4\u3011. He also noted legislative changes allowing 15\u2011year\u2011olds who commit violent crimes to be tried as adults, reflecting his office\u2019s commitment to addressing serious juvenile offenses\u301012\u2020L17-L20\u3011.\n\nMarsigli\u2019s platform, as outlined in his 2022 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, calls for stronger partnerships with law\u2011enforcement agencies, prioritizing prosecution of the most dangerous offenders, increasing visible patrols in high\u2011crime areas, and improving community lighting to deter crime\u30101\u2020L6-L14\u3011. He stresses the need for efficient case management, citing an average case age of seven\u2011and\u2011a\u2011half months and the importance of settlements and adjudications to handle the heavy caseload\u301012\u2020L13-L16\u3011.\n\nThe District Attorney\u2019s role in North Carolina requires overseeing criminal prosecutions within the district, managing assistant prosecutors, coordinating with law\u2011enforcement officials, and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and efficiently. Marsigli\u2019s statements and actions illustrate his interpretation of these duties, emphasizing personal involvement in court, community engagement, and a data\u2011driven focus on the most serious crimes.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jeffrey A. Marsigli (North Carolina 8th Prosecutorial District Attorney, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeffrey_A._Marsigli_(North_Carolina_8th_Prosecutorial_District_Attorney,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))\n- [7] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [Evans concedes to Marsigli in district attorney's race | Local News | rockymounttelegram.com](https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/local/evans-concedes-to-marsigli-in-district-attorneys-race/article_2b6da1ac-6aad-59ad-aaca-b83ff7e6e5b9.html)\n- [11] [District attorney race goes to recount - The Wilson Times](https://www.wilsontimes.com/sites/www.wilsontimes.com/news/district-attorney-race-goes-to-recount-249137)\n- [12] [DA Jeffrey Marsigli talks to Rotary Club of Tarboro](https://mytarborotoday.com/da-jeffrey-marsigli-talks-to-rotary-club-of-tarboro-p2718-134.htm)","firstname":"Jeffrey","lastname":"Marsigli","middlename":"Alan","suffix":null,"token":"39e0c2820c17858c"},"token":"QS5SkUXdqR"},{"candidatename":"Rena Spellman","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Rena Johnnie\u2011Lee Spellman is the Democratic candidate for District Attorney of North Carolina\u2019s 8th Prosecutorial District, which covers Nash, Edgecombe, and Wilson counties, in the November\u202f3\u202f2026 general election. The district attorney serves as the chief law\u2011enforcement officer for the region, responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, ensuring fairness and impartiality in the justice system, and fostering public safety and community trust [9].\n\nBorn and raised in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Spellman is the youngest of five children raised by a single mother. She earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in criminal justice/pre\u2011law from Elizabeth City State University, graduating summa cum laude, and received her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude [7][9].\n\nSpellman\u2019s legal career spans more than a decade of public service. She began as an Assistant District Attorney in the 7th Prosecutorial District (Halifax, Northampton, Hertford, and Bertie counties), where she prepared and tried thousands of cases ranging from traffic violations to homicides [9]. She later worked as a private attorney representing indigent clients in the 8th District, and currently serves as an Assistant Public Defender, defending individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses who cannot afford counsel [7][9].\n\nBeyond courtroom work, Spellman has been active in community\u2011based initiatives. She has collaborated with local law\u2011enforcement on the Violent Crime Apprehension Program Task Force, mentors youth through the Golden Leaf Foundation, and serves as a youth investor at Word Tabernacle Church. She also sits on the board of the Nash Edgecombe Wilson (\"NEW\") Community Action organization, which focuses on inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and education\u2011employment pathways [7][9].\n\nSpellman\u2019s professional achievements have earned statewide recognition, including a Forty\u2011Under\u2011Forty honor from Elizabeth City State University in 2021 and a 2024 award for outstanding service to the State of North Carolina [7]. She lives in Nash County with her husband, Quinderra\u2014head football coach at Louisburg College\u2014and their two children, and remains deeply rooted in her faith and community [7].\n\nIn announcing her candidacy, Spellman emphasized that the district attorney must combine compassion with integrity, projecting fairness and impartiality while addressing violent crime and restoring public confidence in the justice system. She pledges to prioritize transparency, accessibility, and strong community relationships as she seeks to lead the 8th Prosecutorial District [9][10].\n\n## Sources\n- [7] [MEET RENA | Renaspellman](https://www.spellmanforda.com/meet-rena)\n- [8] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [9] [Rena Spellman announces candidacy for district attorney](https://www.springhopeenterprise.com/news/rena-spellman-announces-candidacy-for-district-attorney-e22f6d85)\n- [10] [Spellman announces candidacy for district attorney](https://www.wilsontimes.com/news/spellman-announces-candidacy-for-district-attorney-c8e5b882)","firstname":"Rena","lastname":"Spellman","middlename":"Johnnie-Lee","suffix":null,"token":"515a479e202a3ba4"},"token":"8JLClDTAxM"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"district_attorney_general","o.office":"district_attorney","office":"district_attorney","officedescription":"The district attorney general is the elected chief prosecutor for a judicial district \u2014 deciding what cases are charged, presenting cases to the grand jury, and prosecuting criminal matters. It is a leadership role over a public-law office with wide discretion.","officequalities":"- Prosecutorial leadership of a district attorney's office of attorneys, investigators, and victim-services staff.\n- Working knowledge of Tennessee criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, and prosecutorial ethics under the Rules of Professional Conduct.\n- Charging-policy judgment that shapes the whole criminal-court docket \u2014 what is presented to the grand jury, diverted, or resolved by plea.\n- Budget and personnel management of a public-law-office operation.\n- Public-facing communication on cases of community concern, in cooperation with police, courts, and victim communities.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"District Attorney","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"District Attorney District 08"}