Ernest Lee

Incumbent District Attorney for the 5th Prosecutorial District in Jacksonville, North Carolina

Ernest Lee is a candidate for District Attorney Prosecutorial District 05 in Jacksonville, North Carolina — 2026 Primary Election. Running as Republican.

Ernest "Ernie" Lee is the District Attorney for North Carolina's 5th Prosecutorial District, a position he has held since January 2011. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney from 1987 to 2010. Lee is a graduate of Campbell University School of Law. He is also a retired Major with the United States Army Reserve, where he served as a judge advocate. Born in New Bern, NC, his father was a retiree of the U.S. Air Force. He and his wife, Misti, have three adult children and reside in Jacksonville, NC.