LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Two Republican candidates for Nebraska auditor both argue they have the right set of experiences to lead the office.
Three people - the Republicans and a Democrat - are seeking the office being vacated by current auditor Mike Foley, who is running for governor. The primary is May 13.
State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont says his business experience as the president and CEO of a medical staffing company is an asset that he would bring to the office. He said his business has brought in an outside accountant to do an audit, which uncovered ways to spend money more appropriately and get the most out of every dollar spent.
“That’s the same objective I’ll take to taxpayer money,” he said.
His experience serving on the Fremont City Council would also be beneficial, Janssen said.
“I understand how a municipality’s books should look and where the money is supposed to go,” he said.
Meanwhile, Republican Larry Anderson, who has been an auditor in Foley’s office for more than two years, has been a part of the Nebraska National Guard since 2007. Anderson said he has a lot of experience working with different people.
“I think a lot of that leadership training is going to carry over nicely,” he said.
Anderson, who holds an accounting degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said one of the best assets he has is working in the office now.
“I don’t have to have that time period to get my feet wet and figure out what’s going on,” he said.
Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln is the only Democrat seeking the position.
“I’ve spent the last eight years digging into mismanagement and finding solutions to mismanagement in government,” she said, adding that serving as auditor would allow her to continue that role.
The auditor oversees the office that is responsible for auditing all state fiscal activity and certain political subdivisions - such as counties - and investigating reports of alleged government waste, fraud and mismanagement.
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