Wake County Clerk of Court Watch: Sam Bridges

Democrat Sam Bridges announced his plans this morning to seek the office of Wake County Clerk of Court in an email earlier this morning. Bridges was considering a run for District Attorney after current elected District Attorney Colon Willoughby announced that he would not seek re-election.

But the entry of Lorrin Freeman into the race on Friday as a Democrat foreclosed that possibility. Freeman, the current Clerk of Court who has served two terms, is the daughter of Franklin Freeman, a close advisor to former Governor Jim Hunt and a former Secretary of the Department of Corrections in the 1990s.

Bridges cites his 23 years as a criminal defense lawyer and his four years as Mayor of Garner where he “worked to develop strong relationships with our county commissioners and school board members and legislative delegation.”

Bridges’ announcement comes on the heels of announcement Friday from sitting District Court Judge Jennifer Knox, granddaughter of Jesse Helms, former prosecutor, that she will run for Clerk of Court.