Jessica Holmes (politician)
Jessica Holmes | |
---|---|
State 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 | |
Born | 1983 or 1984 (age 40–41) |
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 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]
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4, 2017.[2] On December 6, 2017, she announced her intention to resign from the board to accept a job offer, but rescinded her announcement the following day, citing complaints from constituents.[1]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 November of 2023, Governor Roy Cooper announced Holmes as his pick to finish the term of State Auditor Beth Wood, who resigned, effective mid-December.[6] She was sworn-in on December 16.[7] Holmes is the first Black woman to serve on the North Carolina Council of State.[8]
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.
- ^ 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. 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- 1980s births
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- County commissioners in North Carolina
- North Carolina Democrats
- North Carolina lawyers
- People from Pender County, North Carolina
- State Auditors of North Carolina
- University of North Carolina School of Law alumni
- Women in North Carolina politics
- Living people