The successor to NC auditor Beth Wood is Jessica Holmes

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday named a former Wake County commissioner and previous statewide candidate to serve out the remainder of State Auditor Beth Wood’s term in office after she resigns in two weeks.

Jessica Holmes, an attorney who works at the North Carolina Industrial Commission, was introduced by Cooper as Wood’s successor at an Executive Mansion news conference.

Wood announced three weeks ago that she would step down as auditor on Dec. 15 in the wake of charges this year related to her government-owned vehicle. The state constitution directs the governor to appoint someone to complete Wood’s four-year term through the end of 2024.

Cooper cited Holmes for her wealth of experience — including serving as chair of the Wake County commission as it carried out a $1.5 billion local annual budget — as evidence she would succeed in the role.

The auditor’s office scrutinizes state and local government spending, evaluates the efficiency of state programs and takes on special projects initiated by the General Assembly.

“Jessica understands how government can be a force for good, but that the details matter, and it’s important that we do things the right way,” Cooper said. “I’m confident that thanks to her intelligence, integrity and experience, she will make major contributions to the success of our state.”

Holmes, a Democrat like Cooper and Wood, lost in the 2020 general election for state labor commissioner to Republican Josh Dobson. She said Thursday that she would file candidacy papers next week to run for a full term as auditor next

November.

“I will ensure that every taxpayer dollar gets to the people and the causes that we all care about,” said Holmes, a Pender County native who has a degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. ”My administration will focus on accountability, eliminating wasteful spending and ensuring that all money allocated goes where it’s supposed to go. “