Jessica Holmes has been appointed State Auditor starting Dec. 15, when current Auditor Beth Wood officially resigns.

It’s the same post former Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte says he will seek next year in the primary.

Holmes

According to the Carolina Journal, a slate of Republican candidates have announced their intention to run for the auditor’s office, including former UNC Board Chair David Boliek; CPA Jack Clark; businessman Charles Dingee; A.J. Daoud; former Greensboro city council member Jim Kee, and Guilford County Commissioner James Upchurch.

The North Carolina Auditor serves as the lead evaluator for all state government agencies, including universities, colleges and the judiciary among others, examining whether agencies are following state law by using the proper financial controls and meeting performance standards. The Auditor also serves as an ex-officio member on the Local Government Commission, which oversees the operations for hundreds of towns, cities and counties.