# Jessica Holmes (politician)

Jessica Holmes (born 1983/1984) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 18th North Carolina State Auditor from 2023 to 2024, having filled the vacancy caused by the resignation of Beth Wood.

## Early life and education

Jessica Holmes grew up in Pender County, North Carolina. 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, and later received a Juris Doctor degree from the same school.

## Political career

Holmes was sworn in to her seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners on December 1, 2014. She was unanimously elected chair of the board on December 4, 2017. On December 6, 2017, she announced her intention to resign from the board to accept a job offer, but rescinded her announcement the following day, citing complaints from constituents.
In 2020, Holmes ran for the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Labor as a Democrat, losing to Republican Josh Dobson. In August 2021, she was appointed to the North Carolina Industrial Commission as a deputy commissioner.
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. Holmes was sworn in on December 16. Holmes was the first Black woman to serve on the North Carolina Council of State.
Holmes ran for a full term in the 2024 elections. She lost to Republican Dave Boliek.

## Electoral history
### 2024

North Carolina State Auditor general election, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dave Boliek | 2,729,780 | 49.35% |
| | Democratic | Jessica Holmes (incumbent) | 2,633,607 | 49.17% |
| | Libertarian | Bob Drach | 167,701 | 2.44% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,531,088 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 2020

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor general election, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Josh Dobson | 2,726,619 | 50.83% |
| | Democratic | Jessica Holmes | 2,637,528 | 49.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,364,147 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

Wake County Board of Commissioners 3rd district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jessica Holmes (incumbent) | 299,695 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 299,695 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

Wake County Board of Commissioners 3rd district general election, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jessica Holmes | 176,754 | 56.35% |
| | Republican | Rich Gianni | 136,903 | 43.65% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 313,657 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |