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Jessica Holmes (born 1983/1984)[1] is an American attorney and politician who has served as the 18th North Carolina State Auditor since December 16, 2023, having filled the vacancy caused by the resignation of Beth Wood.
Early life and education
Jessica Holmes grew up in Pender County, North Carolina[2] and was raised by her grandmother. She received her undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[3]
Political career
Holmes was sworn in to her seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners on December 1, 2014.[4] She was unanimously elected chair of the board on December 4, 2017.[2] On December 6, 2017, she announced her intention to resign from the board to accept a job offer, but rescinded her announcement the following day, citing complaints from constituents.[1]
In 2020, Holmes ran for the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Labor as a Democrat, losing to Republican Josh Dobson.[5] In August 2021, she was appointed to the North Carolina Industrial Commission as a deputy commissioner.[6]
In November 2023, Governor Roy Cooper announced Holmes as his pick to finish the term of State Auditor Beth Wood, who resigned, effective mid-December.[7] She was sworn-in on December 16.[8] Holmes is the first Black woman to serve on the North Carolina Council of State.[9]
Electoral history
2020
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Josh Dobson | 2,726,619 | 50.83% | |
Democratic | Jessica Holmes | 2,637,528 | 49.17% | |
Total votes | 5,364,147 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
2018
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jessica Holmes (incumbent) | 299,695 | 100% | |
Total votes | 299,695 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
2014
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jessica Holmes | 176,754 | 56.35% | |
Republican | Rich Gianni | 136,903 | 43.65% | |
Total votes | 313,657 | 100% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
References
- ^ a b Nagem, Sarah (December 7, 2016). "Wake County commissioner Holmes rescinds resignation". The News & Observer. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Gargan, Henry (December 7, 2017). "Wake board elects new leader". The News & Observer. p. 3A.
- ^ Thomas, Aaron (November 4, 2014). "Local Candidate Spotlight: JESSICA HOLMES". The Nubian. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Kenney, Andrew (December 7, 2014). "Democrats take lead on Wake board". The News & Observer. p. 3N.
- ^ Travis, Kari (November 24, 2020). "State Leaders Learn at the Local Level". The McDowell News. Carolina Journal News Service. pp. A1, A4.
- ^ "Jessica N. Holmes". Office of the North Carolina State Auditor. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Governor Roy Cooper Appoints Jessica Holmes as North Carolina Auditor
- ^ Fain, Travis; Miller, Eric (December 16, 2023). "'Authentic and transparent:' New state auditor sworn in after Beth Wood's guilty plea, resignation". WRAL-TV. Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "The successor to North Carolina auditor Beth Wood is ex-county commission head Jessica Holmes". Associated Press. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
External link
- Office of the State Auditor government website
- Jessica Holmes for Auditor campaign website