Jessica Holmes (politician)
Jessica Holmes | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Holmes in 2015 | |
| 18th Auditor of North Carolina | |
| Assumed office December 16, 2023 | |
| Governor | Roy Cooper |
| Preceded by | Beth Wood |
| Member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners from the 3rd district | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – December 1, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Gurley |
| Succeeded by | Maria Cervania |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA, JD) |
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
[edit]Jessica Holmes grew up in Pender County, North Carolina.[2] She was the eldest of five of her mother's children. During her early youth her mother found infrequent work at a meatpacking plant, and the family struggled with homelessness. Holmes graduated from Pender County High School in 2002. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006,[3] and later received a Juris Doctor degree from the same school.[4]
Political career
[edit]Holmes was sworn in to her seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners on December 1, 2014.[5] 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4, 2017.[2] On December 6, 2017, she announced her intention to resign from the board to accept a job offer, but rescinded her announcement the following day, citing complaints from constituents.[1]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.[6] In August 2021, she was appointed to the North Carolina Industrial Commission as a deputy commissioner.[7]
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.[8] Holmes was sworn in on December 16.[9] Holmes is the first Black woman to serve on the North Carolina Council of State.[10]
Electoral history
[edit]2020
[edit]| 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
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jessica Holmes (incumbent) | 299,695 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 299,695 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2014
[edit]| 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
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Evans, Jon (April 5, 2024). "Jessica Holmes: NC's State Auditor has gone from Pender County to public service ('1on1 with Jon Evans' podcast)". WECT6 News. Gray Television. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ 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
[edit]
- Office of the State Auditor government website
- Jessica Holmes for Auditor campaign website
Statewide political officials of North Carolina | ||
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| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government |
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| Supreme Court (elected) | ||