Learn about the candidates running for North Carolina auditor with our 2024 voter guide
In the race for North Carolina auditor, a Republican and a Libertarian are challenging a Democratic incumbent who was appointed to the job less than a year ago.
The current auditor, Jessica Holmes, was chosen to replace outgoing, longtime Auditor Beth Wood, in December, after Wood decided to step down.
Wood, a Democrat who served as auditor for 14 years between 2009 and 2023, resigned after pleading guilty to misdemeanor counts of misusing her state-owned vehicle.
She had earlier pleaded guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run charges stemming from a crash involving her state vehicle in December 2022.
Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Holmes, an attorney and former chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, to serve the remainder of Wood’s term, and Holmes announced at the time that she planned to run for the full four-year term up for grabs this year.
Two challengers, Republican Dave Boliek, and Libertarian Bob Drach, are running against Holmes for the job.
Boliek, an attorney and businessman, currently serves on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees. He previously chaired the board. Drach is an accountant.
Candidates for NC auditor
The News & Observer sent candidate questionnaires to Holmes, Boliek and Drach as part of our 2024 Voter Guide.
All three candidates submitted responses and answered questions about what their top priority would be as auditor, and in which areas, if any, they believed state government is wasting taxpayer money.
They also told us how they would prioritize the state programs and agencies that should be audited, and make sure that politically connected people and companies don’t unfairly benefit from state spending and contracts. Finally, they told us about issues where they disagree with their parties.
▪ Jessica Holmes, Democrat
▪ Dave Boliek, Republican
▪ Bob Drach, Libertarian
You can read more responses at newsobserver.com/voterguide.
This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Learn about the candidates running for North Carolina auditor with our 2024 voter guide."
