District Attorney Ben David announces he is leaving office in 2024

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — After nearly 20 years in office, New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney Ben David has announced he will be leaving the office in September of 2024, in the middle of his term.

“This date is not arbitrary,” David wrote in a news release. “Vacating the office at least 60 days before Election Day on November 5, 2024 will ensure that the people of the Sixth Prosecutorial District will get to decide who occupies this position next.”

David won re-election in 2022 for the fifth time. His career began as prosecutor in Wilmington in 1999 and he was elected as district attorney in 2004.

“I have appreciated, more than I can express, the sacrifice of the nearly 50 career prosecutors and victim-witness/legal assistants who have served, are serving, and will continue to serve our community with unmatched professionalism; our more than 1,200 law enforcement partners in 20 different police agencies who tirelessly serve and protect; and the hundreds of members of the justice system who strive to uphold the Constitution and the rights of the citizens every day. The support of my family has allowed me to enjoy success in this role and to serve you for all these years. More than anything, I want to thank the over 300,000 New Hanover and Pender County residents who call these two counties their home and have entrusted me with this position,” David wrote.

WWAY reached out to David to find out what is next.

“I’m excited for the next chapter, it will definitely involve a law license and a courtroom,” he said. “I love this too much to stop.”