WILMINGTON — Tuesday was the last day on the job for District Attorney Ben David, who has overseen both Pender and New Hanover counties for 25 years — and the governor announced his replacement.
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While expressing gratitude for David’s service to North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Rebecca Zimmer Donaldson as the DA for prosecutorial district 6. She was nominated by the Democratic Prosecutorial District Committee in June to take over from David.
They cited her commitment to transparency, rehabilitation, and accountability as reasons for her candidacy.
“Rebecca is a talented, diligent attorney and prosecutor with years of experience under her belt serving the people of New Hanover and Pender Counties,” Cooper said in a press release. “I’m grateful for her commitment to serving our state and I’m confident she’ll continue to serve her community with distinction as district attorney. I am deeply grateful for Ben David’s many years of outstanding service to the people of North Carolina.”
A Wilmington native, Donaldson has served as assistant district attorney for more than a decade. Previously, she worked in New York’s Kings County District Attorney’s Office, after having received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami and her Juris Doctorate from American University Washington College of Law.
Donaldson will be sworn in at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the New Hanover County Courthouse, Courtroom 403, Fourth Floor, 316 Princess St.
Donaldson’s appointment will last through the end of year; however, she is currently seeking election for the district attorney position against Republican Jason Smith.
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