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Part Two: A look at the NC Treasurer's race
North Carolina has a massive public pension fund - upwards of $120 billion dollars. The state treasurer is sole fiduciary of this fund and holds significant powers over where - and how - the money is invested. The current state Treasurer is not seeking re-election, so we’ll talk with some of the folks vying for that role.
Wesley Harris (D), candidate running for state Treasurer
Gabe Esparza (D), candidate running for state Treasurer

View original article to watch the full conversation.

The Daily Tar Heel's Annika Duneja spoke with state treasurer candidate Gabe Esparza to hear about his experience and plans for the state treasury. His opponent in the Democratic primary is N.C. Rep. Wesley Harris (D-Mecklenburg).

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Beth Wood capably served North Carolina as state auditor from 2009 to 2023 until an off-hours accident in a state vehicle led to her resignation last year. Gov. Roy Cooper appointed former Wake County commissioner Jessica Holmes to replace her, and now six Republicans are running for a chance at the permanent role. Holmes is unopposed in the Democratic primary, as is Libertarian candidate Bob Drach.

The office uncovers waste and abuse of state tax dollars by conducting audits — many of which are mandated by NC law — of state agencies and private entities that receive state funds. GOP primary candidates include management consultant and former state senator Jeff Tarte; attorney, small businessman and UNC trustee Dave Boliek; small business owner Charles Dingee; and research assistant Jack Clark.

If he wins in November, Democratic candidate Gabe Esparza would be the first Latino to win a statewide office in North Carolina.

“We are 1.2 million Latinos in North Carolina and have almost no political power to speak of,” Esparza said to a crowd of supporters during a rally on Tuesday, “We have great people at the local level but no people at the state level”