Minn. GOP chooses auditor, other picks
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Republican delegates at the state party convention in Minneapolis endorsed Pat Anderson for State Auditor, a job she held between 2003 and 2007.
Anderson won the endorsement early Friday morning over two other candidates. She'll now likely face incumbent Democrat Rebecca Otto in November. Anderson, who lost to Otto in 2006, said the office has declined since Otto took office.
"The office is now an average of six months late on many of the audits," Anderson said. "That's unacceptable and it's bordering on malfeasance and it's due to Rebecca Otto's mismanagement. Rebecca Otto claims that she gets no respect and she's right. She doesn't."
Anderson said she'd investigate light rail, Gov. Pawlenty's JOBZ rural economic initiative and local government aid. She also said she would work to privatize more of the auditor's office.
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Otto said her top priority is to increase transparency in local government. She also criticized Anderson for running for Auditor, yet having to fix a campaign finance report for math errors.
Other endorsements
Attorney Chris Barden of Edina won the endorsement for attorney general. Barden is the only Republican seeking to challenge Democratic incumbent Lori Swanson.
Rep. Dan Severson of Sauk Rapids won the convention's endorsement for secretary of state. He ran unopposed and will challenge Democratic incumbent Mark Ritchie this November.
The main event Friday at the party's convention, which began Thursday, is the Republican endorsement for governor.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
