RALEIGH — Gov. Pat McCrory announced late Friday that he was replacing all members of the State Board of Elections as of Wednesday, just as an investigation into political contributions made to McCrory and other top Republicans’ officeholders’ campaigns is getting underway….

McCrory spokeswoman Kim Genardo said the timing of the appointments had nothing to do with the investigation. All five members’ terms expire April 30, and McCrory’s office wants new appointments to be made on time.

The governor selects members from a list of five candidates submitted by each party. McCrory selected the top two Democrats, Genardo said.

Leake, who has been on the board for 20 years and chairman for 16, said that he and current member Robert Cordle were on the list submitted by the state Democratic chair.

But Leake also dismissed the idea that the timing was motivated by the investigation.

“I don’t believe that to be the case, no,” he said. “I believe that we would all have been replaced regardless.”