Incumbent Rob Sand (D) and Todd Halbur (R) are running for Iowa state auditor on Nov. 8, 2022.
Sand has been the Iowa auditor of state since 2019. Sand also served as assistant attorney general under Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller (D). On his campaign website, Sand said he has been non-partisan as auditor: “[Sand] defends the other party from unfair or untruthful attacks, while also criticizing his own party even when he doesn’t have to.” Sand also highlighted his record as auditor, saying he “has identified more waste, fraud, and abuse than any other single term from any other State Auditor.”
Halbur’s professional experience includes working in the banking and finance industry and as a real estate agent. He was also the former CFO of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. Halbur said he is “a fiscal conservative focused on protecting Iowa’s Taxpayer dollars by following the rule of law instead of being a politician. I will operate the Auditor’s office with integrity, accountability and openness.” Halbur emphasized his professional background, saying, “Iowa needs an Auditor with the financial background and qualifications I have from my previous positions in the banking industry and as a CFO.”
The Iowa Capital Dispatch‘s Kate Kealey described the race as follows: “In the race for state auditor, Democratic incumbent Rob Sand promises voters he will remain committed to serving as the taxpayers’ watchdog, while Republican opponent Todd Halbur believes the job should be separate from partisan disputes.”
In the 2018 election, Sand defeated incumbent Mary Mosiman (R) 51%-46%. Before Sand’s election, Iowa had had a Republican state auditor since 1939.
The auditor is responsible for audits of counties, cities, school districts, and other governmental offices and is required to provide guidelines to CPA firms performing such audits.
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