Republican and Democratic State Auditor Candidates Clarify Their Campaign Platforms
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Republican and Democratic State Auditor Candidates Clarify Their Campaign Platforms

Date: October 24, 2006
By: Carolyn Tseng and Diana Choksey
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  The November election will determine Missouri's next state auditor. Diana Choksey and Carolyn Tseng compare the campaign platforms of Democrat Susan Montee and Republican Sandra Thomas . . . two of the candidates running for the state auditor position.

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If you're confused about the two female candidates running for state auditor . . . you're probably not alone.

Democrat Susan Montee and Republican Sandra Thomas have their similarities . . . they are both county auditors from western Missouri . . . with offices within 30 miles of each other. 

But in their approach to the state auditor position . . . they are poles apart.

Sandra Thomas . . . discussing her goal as the state auditor . . . says she wants to put aside politics and base the audits on risks in new areas.

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And by focusing her time on risks, Thomas suggests she will audit any place that is spending a large amount of the state's money more often.
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Her Democratic opponent Montee says there is a misperception between politically driven and politically responsive audits. 
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She also says her approach includes performance audits . . . which extend beyond the traditional audits by evaluating the efficiency of government spending.
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Neither candidate has served in the statewide office, but both say they are qualified.
 
Montee comes from a background in law and accounting and served as the Buchanan County auditor for six years.
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The Republican candidate . . . in comparison . . . claims that her extensive accounting experience and skills make her ideal for the state auditor position.
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Description: National CPA award, boosting county office


The state auditor position is the only statewide office up for grabs aside from the U.S. Senate seat this November.

From the State Capitol, I'm Diana Choksey and I'm Carolyn Tseng.