Kansas City Star July 27, 2006 Primary election is Aug. 8

Recommendations for Missouri auditor

Missouri’s auditor is the state’s watchdog. This elected official is responsible for auditing 200 state agencies, 45 judicial circuits and 89 counties. Local governments also frequently ask the auditor for help.

Good auditors ferret out fraud, excessive spending and inefficient use of tax dollars.

In Missouri’s Aug. 8 primary, five Republicans and two Democrats are seeking the seat being vacated by Democrat Claire McCaskill, who is running for U.S. Senate. A Libertarian, Charles Baum, is on the November ballot.

The Star’s recommendations:

Democratic

Not all of Missouri’s auditors have been certified public accountants — McCaskill, a former county prosecutor, isn’t. But the background is a good one. In recent years, voters have chosen either CPAs or lawyers to be their state auditor.

Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee is a CPA as well as a lawyer. That’s a great combination for the job. She’s the choice over Darrell Wattenbarger, a Columbia CPA, who hasn’t launched much of a campaign.

Montee, of St. Joseph, first was elected Buchanan County auditor in 2000. Her background gives her the knowledge to effectively manage an office that is like a large accounting firm.

Republican

Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas is the best choice for GOP voters. She has served Platte County for 12 years and as a CPA has been honored by the Missouri Society of CPAs. Her GOP credentials are strong, although she sometimes is at odds with members of her own party. If nominated, she should work to make sure she can represent all Republicans in November.

State Reps. Jack Jackson of Wildwood and Mark Wright of Springfield, and state Sen. John W. Loudon of Chesterfield are also in the race, as is perennial candidate Al Hanson of Concordia.

McCaskill has been an aggressive auditor, uncovering problems with the state’s child-abuse hot line, insufficient background checks on nursing home staffs, and lax adherence to the Sunshine Law. Voters should look for a candidate who will do the job as well.