Todd Halbur, Mary Ann Hanusa are running for Iowa state auditor

Two Republicans are working within the June 7 main for an opportunity to problem Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand within the basic election.

The candidates are Todd Halbur and Mary Ann Hanusa. Halbur is a small enterprise proprietor and realtor. Hanusa is a former state lawmaker and director of particular initiatives for a nonprofit. 

The state auditor is broadly thought-about the “taxpayer’s watchdog.” It gives common oversight of state companies and may writer particular stories.  

Early voting has already began within the June 7 main election. This is the right way to vote. 

To assist voters, the Des Moines Register despatched surveys to each candidate in an area aggressive main. The candidate responses have been calmly edited for size and readability. Candidates seem in alphabetical order by final title.

Extra: vote early in Iowa’s 2022 main elections from registration to voting areas

Who’re the candidates working for Iowa state auditor? 

Todd Halbur 

• Age: 55
• City of residence: Clive
• Social gathering affiliation: Republican 
• Schooling: College of Iowa, bachelor’s diploma in enterprise.  
• Occupation: Small enterprise proprietor of a faculty provide distribution firm and a licensed Realtor. 
• Earlier elected workplaces held: None 
• Main civic actions: Based and operated a non-profit, Instructor Instruments 4 Tomorrow that offered lecturers in lower-income faculties with classroom provides; a number of volunteer hours in school actions, faculty sports activities, and church actions.  

Mary Ann Hanusa

• Age: 59
• City of residence: Council Bluffs 
• Social gathering affiliation: Republican 
• Schooling:  Bachelor’s of science, Concordia College; grasp’s College of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Occupation:  Director of Particular Tasks, Kids’s Sq., USA, Council Bluffs 
• Earlier elected workplaces held: state Home of Representatives 
• Main civic actions:  Because the President of the Mates of the Union Pacific Museum, I directed the efforts to lift $2.5 million to renovate Council Bluffs’ Carnegie Library to be used because the Museum.  

Describe the important thing variations between you and your opponent. 

Halbur: I’m not a profession politician, so due to this fact I’m a contemporary voice with widespread sense concepts for twenty first Century finance. I’m working for state auditor as a result of I consider Iowa wants an auditor with the monetary background and {qualifications} that I’ve as a previous banker and former CFO of a state company. I’ve over 15 years of expertise in banking and finance. I’ve over 18 years of expertise as a small enterprise proprietor. I used to be the CFO for 3 years over the Iowa Alcoholic Drinks Division.  

Hanusa: I used to be an Iowa State Consultant for 10 years, and held the road on spending, helped create the state finances annually and chaired the Home Authorities Oversight Committee. In that function, I introduced the heads of state companies to the committee to ask the powerful questions essential to ensure that Iowans’ tax {dollars} have been used appropriately and because the Legislature supposed. My opponent has filed an lively lawsuit in opposition to the taxpayers of Iowa for $7.5 million. I can’t wage warfare in opposition to the taxpayers in courtroom whereas serving because the guardian of their taxpayer {dollars}.  

The auditor’s workplace is described because the “taxpayer’s watchdog.” What can be your priorities to guard taxpayers?

Halbur: Defending Iowa’s taxpayer {dollars} by following the rule of regulation as a substitute of being a politician. Function the workplace with integrity, accountability, and openness to all Iowa Taxpayers. Have our authorities be fiscally accountable with our tax {dollars} in line with the state and federal legal guidelines, guidelines, and laws.  

Hanusa: Earlier than utilizing taxpayer-funded employees time and workplace sources to launch investigations, I’ll make sure that every investigation is predicated on info and the proof and never a political agenda. Every investigation should warrant using taxpayer {dollars}. Audits accomplished on time can be a precedence in order that no tax {dollars} are wasted on the county, state, or native ranges. Acceptable and vital use of taxpayer {dollars} should embrace the Auditor’s workplace. Every place and job description can be reviewed and scrutinized to make sure that it’s vital to keep up effectivity within the work of defending Iowans’ tax {dollars}.  

Native and state governments have been despatched billions of federal {dollars} after the COVID-19 pandemic. How would the auditor’s workplace, underneath your management, assist hold observe of that cash?  

Halbur: Begin by reviewing the contract and phrases and situations of the contract. Arrange monitoring and auditing of the receipt and expenditures based mostly on the disbursement of funds. Assessment and decide if the receipt and expenditures of these funds are according to the legal guidelines, guidelines, laws, and contractual agreements governing these funds and if not take the corrective motion essential to carry it again into compliance.  

Hanusa: Underneath my management, the auditor’s workplace will keep detailed information of the distribution and acknowledged function of those funds. The use and expenditure of federal COVID {dollars} can be reviewed by way of audits of state authorities companies and native governments. If an workplace audit determines that these funds weren’t used appropriately, investigations can be undertaken and additional audits could also be vital. I’ll challenge a directive to all state companies, native governments, faculty districts, and different entities topic to audits by the auditor’s workplace that separate information of state and federal funds should be maintained in order that using every is obvious.    

Republicans have accused auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, of utilizing the workplace for political acquire. How would you guarantee Democrats couldn’t make the identical argument about you should you win?  

Halbur: I’m not a politician. I’ll use my expertise to deal with the function of the auditor’s workplace and the right way to run it extra successfully and effectively, slightly than political standing.  

Hanusa: The auditor’s workplace is about public service, not politics. There isn’t any room for politics on this workplace. I’ll set up an environment within the workplace that is freed from politics. I can’t supply commentary or opinions on political problems with the day, nor will I exploit social media to take action. I can’t establish the social gathering affiliation of Iowans concerned in state auditor investigations. My focus and that of my employees will at all times be the taxpayers of Iowa and guaranteeing that their tax {dollars} are spent appropriately on the state, county, and native ranges. 

Conversely, should you win, how will voters know you’ll maintain the members of your individual social gathering accountable?  

Halbur: I’ve already been a taxpayer watchdog and whistleblower of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of the Iowa Alcoholic Drinks Division whereas being their CFO.  

Hanusa: As state auditor, my social gathering affiliation will disappear when conducting official enterprise. I can be a good and neutral taxpayer watchdog for all Iowans. My focus within the Iowa Home was the folks of Home District 16 no matter social gathering affiliation. My document within the Home displays my deal with my district and my constituents, and that I gave them my first allegiance, no matter social gathering management or laws. As state auditor, my allegiance can be to all Iowans to guard their tax {dollars}.