This morning, Rebecca Otto sent a campaign press release complaining about the State Auditor’s office having to comply with public information requests. She specifically complained about standard requests from the Republican Party of Minnesota and other entities.

“When I served as State Auditor, we had numerous requests for public information and we were happy to comply”, said Pat Anderson Republican candidate for State Auditor. “The job of Auditor is to help create transparency in government, to let citizens and policymakers know where the money is going.” “For Otto to complain about transparency and accountability, it leads one to believe what has long been known, Otto has poorly managed the office and is concerned about exposing the numerous mistakes she has made.”

In her campaign press release, Otto claimed routine public information requests will cause her office to get behind on its work. But everyone is aware Otto is already way behind on audits and studies, jeopardizing federal funding to counties.

“Otto is looking for an excuse to hide her incompetence,” said Anderson.

“Today’s events only re-affirm what we have come to expect from the State Auditor,” said Anderson. “Our incumbent Auditor lacks the confidence to lead and the skills to succeed. We cannot afford to have an incompetent do-nothing auditor when Minnesota is facing the worst fiscal crises in a generation.”

“The attack issued by Otto’s campaign today accomplishes one thing, it signals the insecurities of the current auditor. In complaining about a request on the public activities of the State Auditors Office, the incumbent has shown her lack of confidence in her work and her opposition to transparency within the system. Today’s self-incriminating actions beg one question: what is so bad that you do not want voters to see it? “

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