Grays Harbor County has a new auditor.

Montesano resident Chris Thomas was selected by the county commissioners after an hour-long discussion about the three candidates for the role. Commissioner Vickie Raines moved to appoint Thomas, it was seconded by Commissioner Randy Ross, and Thomas was unanimously approved.

“I’m really excited to be working with the great staff here at the auditor’s office,” he said. “I want to serve the public and make sure our elections run smoothly. I appreciate the trust the public puts on the auditor’s office and I will work to keep it that way.”

The choice wasn’t easy. What was supposed to be a 10-minute executive session turned into an hour, as Ross, Commissioner Wes Cormier and Raines had some difference of opinion on who the top choice would be. Cormier said his top candidate was Hoquiam Mayor Jasmine Dickhoff. Raines and Ross favored Thomas. But all three commissioners said that two of the candidates were well qualified and all three would have approved the appointment of any of the candidates. The third candidate was Ruth Kivi.

“I would like to thank the Democrats for providing us with three excellent candidates,” Raines said before announcing Thomas as the new auditor. Vern Spatz retired at the end of August after 28 years in the office.

Thomas has lived in Montesano since 1999. His children attend Montesano High School. He has been on the Montesano School Board since November 2014.

Thomas was a research analyst with the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for a short time in late 2000 and 2001. He spent 17 years working for the state Employment Security Office of Special Investigation Unit, where he started as an economic analyst and wound up working on wage verification related to fraud investigations until he left the agency this past January.

Thomas was sworn in immediately after his appointment was announced.