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LES MERRITT

Republican

Current office: State auditor.

Birth date: Nov. 19, 1951.

Birthplace: Sampson County.

Lives in: Zebulon.

Spouse: Cheryl.

Education: Bachelor of science in economics and accounting, N.C. State University.

Occupation: President of accounting firm Merritt, Petway, Mills and Hockaday.

Political career: Wake County commissioner, 1995-2001; Republican nominee for auditor, 2000, lost to Ralph Campbell Jr.; state auditor, 2005-present.

Web site: www.auditormerritt.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

As auditor, Merritt reduced the backlog of state audits, exposed invalid Social Security numbers and hired a veteran FBI agent to lead the investigative division.

TRIVIA

Merritt is the first certified public accountant licensed in North Carolina to serve as auditor.

BETH WOOD

Democrat

Birth date: April 22, 1954.

Birthplace: Cove City.

Lives in: Raleigh.

Education: Accounting degree, East Carolina University, 1984.

Occupation: CPA; former state auditor's office and state treasurer's office employee. Teaches for American Institute of CPAs

Web site: www.bethwoodcampaign.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

While in the state auditor's office, Wood helped improve training and employee-evaluation procedures.

ON THE ISSUES

Increase the number of performance audits performed by the state, which Wood says the current auditor's office has failed to achieve.

TRIVIA

Wood says she loves to cook and that her signature dish is country-style steak. ... If elected, Wood would be the first female auditor in North Carolina.