As the campaign moves into the spring, electability becomes ever more important in the selection of our candidates for statewide offices. For many conservatives “electability” is something of a dirty word. To many conservatives, electability means moderating conservative positions to make them more acceptable to the so-called “independent” and “moderate” voter. That is NOT what I mean by electability.
Electability simply means which candidate has the best chance of defeating her DFL opponent. When it comes to going head-to-head with Rebecca Otto, I have a record of accomplishment that can be put up directly beside her record of inactivity. And when voters compare my record in office with that of the DFL incumbent, the contrast is obvious.
When the current DFL state auditor announced her reelection bid, she complained that the media did not give her office enough attention. She said the State Auditor’s Office was “the Rodney Dangerfield of constitutional offices — one not always getting respect.” I say, that is true only if the State Auditor acts like Rodney Dangerfield.
Listing her “accomplishments” to the press, DFLer Rebecca Otto touted bigger computer screens, telecommuting, better forms, technology updates and helping local government with energy costs as the major accomplishments of her tenure.
During my term as state auditor I sponsored major pension reform which included the Minneapolis teacher’s merger, a cap on benefits for state employees, and a rewrite of the entire fire relief code. I passed legislation allowing the State Auditor more leeway to privatize audits. I moved several offices and downsized my staff. My office made huge news several times busting “bad guys” for swindling local governments. We started first ever school spending reports, did several special studies, including groundbreaking studies on LGA, school superintendent pay and unfunded government employee retirement health care benefits.
My staff under my direction busted the Minneapolis Police and Fire funds for misappropriation of public money to the tune of tens of millions, which led to the City of Minneapolis filing a lawsuit to recover overcharging by the pension funds. With my former staff beside me, I testified in the lawsuit just last spring on behalf of the city. The city won the suit in November of 2009, saving Minneapolis taxpayers untold amounts of money.
During the 2006 campaign, in an election that was dominated by national issues and a backlash against Republicans, every major newspaper in Minnesota, except one (the New Ulm Journal), endorsed my re-election bid. Amazingly, this includes the StarTribune. I fully expect that I will receive those endorsements again.
These are serious financial times for Minnesota. The outcome of the next election will determine whether Minnesota remains a high-tax state or Minnesota restores the fundamental principles of constitutionally limited government. It is important that we have the strongest possible candidate running for each race on the ballot. I hope you agree that my name on the Republican ticket adds strength and credibility up and down the ballot. I believe I am the person to best carry your concerns in the general election and into the State Auditor’s Office.
No one was comparing the State Auditor’s office to Rodney Dangerfield when I was there. I’ll bring that level of respect back to the Auditor’s office and that level of commitment to protecting tax dollars back to the people of Minnesota.
I realize that in choosing state delegates, we first look to the top of the ticket and the governor’s race. That is important, but to have a victory that is meaningful in November, our party must win up and down the ballot. I ask that if you choose to pursue a state delegate position, you take into account and support my candidacy for State Auditor, whomever you might support for Governor. I hope you encourage state delegates you elect to support my candidacy at the state convention. Together we can achieve what we accomplished in 2002 and put the Taxpayers’ Watchdog back on the prowl.
