Durham DA Candidates Clash Over Criminal Justice Reform

Incumbent Satana Deberry faces challenger Jonathan Wilson II in March primary

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Durham County voters are deciding whether to give District Attorney Satana Deberry a third term and continue her brand of criminal justice reform, or elect challenger Jonathan Wilson II, who lost to Deberry in the 2022 primary but is running again on a platform of giving more voice to victims and cracking down on juvenile crime.

Why it matters

The Durham DA race is seen as a referendum on the direction of criminal justice reform in the county, with Deberry touting a drop in violent crime under her tenure but facing criticism from some for not being in the office as frequently as past DAs. Wilson is positioning himself as a tougher-on-crime alternative who wants to prioritize violent offenses and juvenile delinquency.

The details

Deberry, first elected in 2018, has championed a more equitable approach to criminal justice, evaluating each case individually and aiming to avoid over-incarceration of people of color and those facing social challenges. She wants to continue funding programs to address mental health and homelessness. Wilson, a defense attorney, lost to Deberry in 2022 but is running again, saying victims' voices have been left out and that he would prioritize violent crimes and work to reduce juvenile access to guns, which he believes is tied to a drop in school attendance.

  • The March 3 Democratic primary will decide the next Durham County district attorney, as Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans in the county.
  • Deberry was first elected in 2018 and is seeking a third term.

The players

Satana Deberry

The incumbent Durham County district attorney, first elected in 2018 on a platform of criminal justice reform. She says there is still work to do and wants to continue funding programs to address mental health and homelessness.

Jonathan Wilson II

A defense attorney who previously ran against Deberry in 2022 and is challenging her again, saying he wants to give more voice to victims of crime and crack down on juvenile delinquency and access to guns.

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What they’re saying

“Victims and other citizens in Durham have been complaining about their voices not being heard, and that's a problem, and you can't continue that trend.”

— Jonathan Wilson II, Challenger (WRAL)

“Those of us who are doing the work know that we need to be smarter about crime, and we need to really recognize what accountability and safety means, and how do we achieve that long term?”

— Satana Deberry, Incumbent District Attorney (WRAL)

What’s next

The March 3 Democratic primary will decide the next Durham County district attorney, as Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans in the county.

The takeaway

The Durham DA race is a high-stakes battle over the future of criminal justice reform in the county, with the incumbent touting progress on violent crime but facing criticism over her office presence, while the challenger promises a tougher-on-crime approach and more support for victims.