Candidate Info - Jessica Holmes - Wake County Democratic Party

Jessica Holmes

NC Auditor

Jessica Holmes - NC Auditor

Candidate Statement:

Jessica Holmes was born and raised in eastern North Carolina, and attended UNC for both her BA and JD. She is licensed to practice law in NC and NY. In 2014, she became the youngest Commissioner ever elected in Wake County and helped oversee a $1.1B budget. She was also the youngest person to Chair the Wake County Board of Commissioners, elected unanimously by her colleagues for two terms. She has spent most of her legal career focusing on labor and employment law and worker’s rights.

In 2021, she was appointed to serve as a Deputy Commissioner in the North Carolina Industrial Commission where she fairly administered the Workers’ Compensation Act and Tort Claims Act for the State of North Carolina.

In 2023, Holmes was sworn in as North Carolina’s State Auditor, where she works to improve government services, identify wasteful spending, and ensure programs involving public health, education and economic growth are serving the public good.

Holmes states she is “”unbossed, unbought and understands the value of a dollar”” and the impact of government services on our everyday lives. She pledges to lead this office with integrity, accountability and a focus on transparency.

Importance of this Race:

The State Auditor is the independent watchdog, charged with identifying wasteful government spending and ensuring funds get to the people and places that need it most. Her primary responsibility is to follow the money–which isn’t red or blue. North Carolinians deserve a State Auditor like Holmes, who leads with integrity, transparency, and a focus on accountability, not someone beholden to special interests or partisan extremism.

Office Responsibilities:

The Office of the State Auditor makes recommendations to improve government services, identify wasteful spending, and ensure programs such as health, education and economic growth are delivering in the best interest of the public.
OSA performs impactful investigations and audits including the more than $100 billion in state assets and liabilities each year.
OSA also performs oversight of programs that contribute tens of billions of dollars in federal money to the state. This has resulted in identifying millions of dollars in wasteful spending and uncollected revenues.
OSA conducts the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to maintain the state’s AAA rating.

Issues:

Accountability:

Accountability means making every action answerable to the people, rooting every decision in genuine care for fellow North Carolinians, and aiming to improve lives. This means implementing and maintaining clear, well-documented internal processes to hold OSA accountable for being good stewards of our tax dollars. OSA’s example of rigorous self-examination and assessments to improve protocols, audits, and investigative reports reinforces the importance of accountability across all state agencies and government entities.

Integrity:

Integrity means upholding the highest standards of honesty, trustworthiness and ethics, and releasing audits and investigative reports that are unbiased and grounded in irrefutable facts. Holmes is committed to leading OSA with integrity by fostering an internal and external culture of respect, public service and excellence. OSA will ensure audit and report findings are supported by facts and thorough analysis.

Transparency:

Transparency means promoting open and clear communication and collaboration among state agencies and stakeholders, to ensure informed decision-making and good governance. Transparency is a promise Holmes makes to all North Carolinians. Audits and reports must offer clear insights and meaningful recommendations to improve government services. Transparent governance requires internal assessments and external collaboration with other state agencies and entities, and fostering better relationships with elected and community leaders and stakeholders.

External Candidate Links:

Jessica Holmes' Website