District Attorney Jason Smith discusses his first year leading the DA’s office for New Hanover and Pender Counties, taking over after Ben David’s resignation and then winning the 2024 special election while already looking ahead to being on the ballot again in 2026. He outlines his background as a 24‑year lawyer and 15‑year prosecutor, his “lead from the front” approach shaped by military service, and his focus on building a stable, accountable 53‑person office that moves cases instead of letting them backlog.