'Authentic and transparent:' New state auditor sworn in after Beth Wood's guilty plea, resignation
Former Wake County commissioner Jessica Holmes was sworn in Saturday, officially taking the role of state auditor.
"I’m incredibly humbled at this moment in history," she said. "I look forward to working so hard for the people of North Carolina. I was born and raised right here in this state."
Holmes was Gov. Roy Cooper’s pick to replace State Auditor Beth Wood, who resigned Friday after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges of using a state-owned vehicle for personal errands.
Holmes said her priorities would be "being honest and leading with integrity. ... The key is to restore the public trust."
Holmes is the first Black woman to serve on the North Carolina Council of State, a collection of 10 statewide officials. She will also be the Democratic Party’s nominee to keep the job for a full four-year term.
"I will be on the November ballot," she said. "I am absolutely committed to doing my best job over the next year, and to continue that beyond."
Holmes is an up-and-comer in the Democratic Party. A lawyer with a focus on labor and employment law, she was her party’s nominee in the 2020 election for Labor Commissioner, losing a close race to current Commissioner Josh Dobson.
Holmes won a seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners in 2014 and was believed to be the youngest person ever elected to the board. She became the board's chair in 2017 and served on the body through 2020.
"I want North Carolinians to know I’m ready for the challenge," Holmes said. "I’m ready to be open, honest, authentic and transparent. And that’s what people should expect from the auditor’s office, for me to be fair and unbiased in the work that I do."
Wood's downfall stemmed from holiday party, crash
Wood’s charges grew from an investigation launched after Wood crashed a state-issued vehicle into a parked car following a holiday party last year. Shortly after the crash, the state suspended her vehicle assignment — and discouraged her from driving other state vehicles — while police investigated the crash. After the suspension was issued, however, she used a separate state vehicle for personal trips, according to a State Bureau of Investigation affidavit.
Holmes was the only Democrat to file in the 2024 state auditor’s race. Six Republicans filed for the race: Charles Dingee, Jack Clark, Jim Kee, Jeff Tarte, Tony Street and Dave Boliek. There’s also a Libertarian candidate: Bob Drach.
