North Carolina State Auditor

General information
Office Type: | Partisan
Office website: | Official Link
Compensation: | $146,421
2025 FY Budget: | $6,899,163
Term limits: | None
Structure
Length of term: |  4 years
Authority: | North Carolina Constitution, Article III, Section 7
Selection Method: | Elected
Current Officeholder

North Carolina State Auditor Jessica Holmes
Democratic Party
Assumed office: December 16, 2023

Elections
Next election: | November 5, 2024
Last election: | November 3, 2020
Other North Carolina Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

## Contents

* 1 Current officeholder
* 2 Authority
* 3 Qualifications
* 4 Vacancies
* 5 Duties
* 6 Elections
* 6.1 2024
* 6.2 2020
* 6.3 2016
* 6.4 Full history
* 6.5 2012
* 6.6 2008
* 7 Divisions
* 8 State budget
* 9 Compensation
* 9.1 2022
* 9.2 2021
* 9.3 2020
* 9.4 2019
* 9.5 2018
* 9.6 2017
* 9.7 2016
* 9.8 2015
* 9.9 2014
* 9.10 2013
* 9.11 2010
* 10 Historical officeholders
* 11 Recent news
* 12 Contact information
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

The North Carolina Auditor is an elected state executive position in the North Carolina state government. The auditor is the head of the Office of the State Auditor and a member of the Council of State. The auditor's office examines all facets of state government for the misuse of tax dollars through a variety of means including financial statement audits, performance audits, investigative reports, and information technology audits. The office also conducts special studies as requested by the general assembly.[1]

The auditor is elected by a statewide vote during presidential election years and serves for a four-year term.

## Current officeholder[edit]

The current officeholder is Jessica Holmes (D). She took office on December 16, 2023. [2]

## Authority[edit]

The auditors' establishment and term of office are derived from  Article III, Section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution.

Article III, Section 7:

A Secretary of State, an Auditor, a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, an Attorney General, a Commissioner of Agriculture, a Commissioner of Labor, and a Commissioner of Insurance shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State in 1972 and every four years thereafter, at the same time and places as members of the General Assembly are elected. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of January next after their election and continue until their successors are elected and qualified.[3]

## Qualifications[edit]

Article VI, Section 6 of the North Carolina Constitution establishes the qualifications of the office:

Every qualified voter in North Carolina who is 21 years of age, except as in this Constitution disqualified, shall be eligible for election by the people to office.[3]

* Qualified North Carolina voter
* At least 21 years of age

## Vacancies[edit]

Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article III, Section 7.

If a vacancy occurs in the office, the governor appoints another to serve until a successor is elected and qualified. Every such vacancy shall be filled by election at the first election for members of the General Assembly that occurs more than 60 days after the vacancy has taken place, and the person chosen shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.[3]

## Duties[edit]

The auditor is the head of the Office of the State Auditor and a member of the Council of State. The auditor's office examines all facets of state government for the misuse of tax dollars through a variety of means including financial statement audits, performance audits, investigative reports, and information technology audits. The office also conducts special studies as requested by the general assembly.[1] A list of the auditor's duties as prescribed by state statute can be found here.

## Elections[edit]

North Carolina state government organizational chart

The auditor in North Carolina is popularly elected every four years in presidential election years. The term of office is four years and begins on the first day of January following their election.[3]

### 2024[edit]

See also: North Carolina Auditor election, 2024

General election candidates

* Jessica Holmes (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
* Dave Boliek (Republican Party)
* Bob Drach (Libertarian Party)

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican primary runoff candidates

* Dave Boliek ✔
* Jack Clark

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Democratic primary candidates

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

* Jessica Holmes (Incumbent) ✔

Did not make the ballot:

* Luis Toledo

Republican primary candidates

* Dave Boliek ✔
* Jack Clark ✔
* Charles Dingee
* Jim Kee
* Anthony Wayne Street
* Jeff Tarte

Did not make the ballot:

* James Upchurch

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party primary candidates

Libertarian Party

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

* Bob Drach ✔

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey

### 2020[edit]

See also: North Carolina Auditor election, 2020

General election candidates

* Beth Wood (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
* Anthony Wayne Street (Republican Party)

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Democratic primary candidates

* Beth Wood (Incumbent) ✔
* Luis Toledo

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican primary candidates

* Tim Hoegemeyer
* Anthony Wayne Street ✔

* * *

= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey

### 2016[edit]

See also: North Carolina Auditor election, 2016

The general election for state auditor was held on November 8, 2016.

Incumbent Beth Wood defeated Charles Stuber in the North Carolina auditor election.

North Carolina Auditor, 2016

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  |  Beth Wood Incumbent | 50.03% | 2,232,554
| Republican  | Charles Stuber | 49.97% | 2,230,147
Total Votes | 4,462,701
Source: ABC11

### Full history[edit]

To view the electoral history dating back to 2000 for the office of North Carolina Auditor, click [show] to expand the section.

|

### 2012

See also: North Carolina down ballot state executive elections, 2012

Incumbent Beth Wood (D) successfully won re-election, defeating Debra Goldman (R) in the November 6, 2012 general election.

| North Carolina State Auditor General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Beth Wood Incumbent | 53.7% | 2,299,541
| Republican  |  Debra Goldman  | 46.3% | 1,981,539
Total Votes | 4,281,080
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

### 2008

On November 4, 2008, Beth A. Wood won election to the office of North Carolina Auditor. She defeated Leslie Merritt (R) in the general election.

North Carolina Auditor, 2008

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Beth A. Wood | 53.6% | 2,175,242
| Republican  |  Leslie Merritt Incumbent | 46.4% | 1,885,229
Total Votes | 4,060,471
Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

2004

On November 2, 2004, Leslie Merritt won election to the office of North Carolina Auditor. He defeated Ralph Campbell (D) in the general election.

North Carolina Auditor, 2004

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Leslie Merritt | 50.4% | 1,662,354
| Democratic  |  Ralph Campbell Incumbent | 49.6% | 1,633,639
Total Votes | 3,295,993
Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

2000

On November 7, 2000, Ralph Campbell won election to the office of North Carolina Auditor. He defeated Leslie Merritt (R) in the general election.

North Carolina Auditor, 2000

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Ralph Campbell | 50.5% | 1,392,211
| Republican  |  Leslie Merritt  | 49.5% | 1,363,890
Total Votes | 2,756,101
Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

## Divisions[edit]

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the North Carolina State Auditor has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

## State budget[edit]

See also: North Carolina state budget and finances

The budget for the Office of the State Auditor in Fiscal Year 2025 was $6,899,163.[4]

## Compensation[edit]

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

Article III, Section 9 of the North Carolina Constitution defines the method by which the auditor's compensation is set:

The officers whose offices are established by this Article shall at stated periods receive the compensation and allowances prescribed by law, which shall not be diminished during the time for which they have been chosen.[3]

### 2022[edit]

In 2022, the officer's salary was $146,421, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]

### 2021[edit]

In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $136,699, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]

### 2020[edit]

In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $133,365, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]

### 2019[edit]

In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $127,561, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]

### 2018[edit]

In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $127,561, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

### 2017[edit]

In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $127,561, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

### 2016[edit]

In 2016, the auditor received a salary of $125,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

### 2015[edit]

In 2015, the auditor received a salary $125,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

### 2014[edit]

In 2014, the state auditor received a salary of $124,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

### 2013[edit]

In 2013, the state auditor received a salary of $124,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the state auditor received a salary of $123,198, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

## Historical officeholders[edit]

There have been two Auditors of Public Accounts and 18 State Auditors since 1862. Of the 20 total auditors, 13 were Democratic, three were Republican, one was a member of the Populist Party, and three do not have party information.[16]

Click [show] to view the full list.

List of Historical Officeholders from 1862-Present

#  | Name  | Tenure  | Party
1 | Samuel F. Phillips[17] | 1862-1864 | N/A
2 | Richard H. Battle[18] | 1864-1865 | N/A
3 | Henderson Adams[19] | 1868-1873 |  Republican
4 | John Reilly | 1873-1877 |  Republican
5 | Samuel L. Love | 1877-1881 |  Democratic
6 | William P. Roberts | 1881-1889 |  Democratic
7 | George W. Sandlin | 1889-1893 | N/A
8 | Robert M. Furman | 1893-1897 |  Democratic
9 | Hal W. Ayer | 1897-1901 | Populist Party
10 | Benjamin F. Dixon | 1901-1910 |  Democratic
11 | Benjamin F. Dixon, Jr. | 1910-1911 |  Democratic
12 | William P. Wood | 1911-1921 |  Democratic
13 | Baxter Durham | 1921-1937 |  Democratic
14 | George Ross Pou | 1937-1947 |  Democratic
15 | Henry L. Bridges | 1947-1981 |  Democratic
16 | Edward Renfrow | 1981-1993 |  Democratic
17 | Ralph Campbell, Jr. | 1993-2005 |  Democratic
18 | Leslie W. Merrit, Jr. | 2005-2008 |  Republican
19 | Beth Wood | 2009-2023 |  Democratic
20 | Jessica Holmes | 2023-present |  Democratic

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms North Carolina State Auditor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

North Carolina State Auditor - Google News

## Contact information[edit]

Mailing address:
20601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0600

Physical address:
325 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27699

Phone: 919-807-7500
Toll free: 800-730-8477
Fax: 919-807-7647

## See also[edit]

North Carolina | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis

|
|

North Carolina State Executive Offices North Carolina State Legislature North Carolina Courts |  2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 North Carolina elections: 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 |  Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* North Carolina Office of the State Auditor

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 North Carolina Office of the State Auditor, "About the Office of the State Auditor," accessed Feb. 2, 2021
2. ↑ ‘'Office of the North Carolina State Auditor, "Jessica N. Holmes," accessed December 19, 2023
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 North Carolina State Legislature, "North Carolina State Constitution," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
4. ↑ North Carolina General Assembly, "House Bill 259," accessed December 6, 2023
5. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
6. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
7. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States," Sept. 30, 2020
8. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
9. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
10. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
11. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
12. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
13. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
14. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
15. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed April 23, 2011
16. ↑ North Carolina Office of the State Auditor, "History of the Office of State Auditor," accessed Feb. 2, 2021
17. ↑ Auditor of Public Accounts.
18. ↑ Auditor of Public Accounts.
19. ↑ First person elected State Auditor by a statewide vote.

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