They might have been on the “undercard” of the Missouri Press Association candidates’ forums held Friday at the Lake of the Ozarks, but the hopefuls for State Auditor spent an hour – just like the U.S. Senate candidates who were the “main event” – talking up their qualifications to hold the office. The main contenders are both CPAs. Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas – the Republican – says being a CPA with experience puts her in the driver’s seat. She believes only a CPA should be allowed to hold the position and would favor a constitutional amendment to that end. Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee, the Democratic candidate, won’t take a back seat to anyone in this race. She says she is uniquely qualified for the post, being both a CPA and an attorney. Unlike Thomas, she does not want the position reserved for a CPA. Libertarian candidate Charles Baum and Progressive Party candidate Terry Bunker – neither of them CPAs – say the State Auditor needs to be independent to be effective, and they say a Democrat or Republican in the post is beholden to political parties.

Related web sites:
Susan Montee for Missouri State Auditor
Sandra Thomas CPA for Auditor
Charles Baum for Missouri State Auditor
Bunker for Auditor