Minnesota State Auditor

Minnesota
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The Minnesota State Auditor is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. State of Minnesota. The State Auditor is charged with overseeing more than $20 billion spent annually by local governments in Minnesota. The State Auditor does this by performing audits of local government financial statements and by reviewing documents, data, reports and complaints reported to the Office. The financial information collected is analyzed and serves as the basis of statutory reports issued by the Office of the State Auditor. The State Auditor is elected and serves a four-year term.[1]

History

The State Auditor's office has existed since before Minnesota Territory became the state of Minnesota in 1858. Before 1973 the State Auditor approved all executive branch expenditures in advance. In 1973 the responsibilities of the State Auditor were reshuffled. The State Auditor shifted to its current role, which was previously handled by the Public Examiner, an office appointed by the governor. The Public Examiner's position was eliminated at this time.[2]

Territory

Name Took Office Left Office Party
Jonathan E. McKusick 18491852 Whig
Abraham Van Vorhes18521853 Whig
Socrates Nelson18531854 Democratic
Julius Georgii18541858 Democratic

The term of the State Auditor was originally three years. In 1883 voters approved a constitutional amendment changing it to four years.

State

No. Name Term of Office Party
1William F. Dunbar 1858–1861 Democratic
2Charles McIlrath1861–1873 Republican
3 Orlan P. Whitcomb 1873–1882 Republican
4William W. Braden 1882–1891 Republican
5Adolph Biermann 1891–1895 Democratic
6Robert C. Dunn 1895–1903 Republican
7Samuel G. Iverson1903–1915 Republican
8J. A. O. Preus1915–1921Republican
9 Ray P. Chase 1921–1931 Republican
10Stafford King 1931–1969 Republican
11William J. O'Brien1969–1971 Republican
12 Rolland F. Hatfield 1971–1975 Republican
13Robert W. Mattson, Jr.1975–1979 Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL)
14 Arne Carlson1979–1991 Independent-Republican (IR)
15 Mark Dayton 1991–1995 (DFL)
16 Judi Dutcher1995–2003 Republican (switched in 2000 to)
DFL
17 Patricia Anderson (formerly Awada)2003–2007 Republican
18 Rebecca Otto2007–present DFL

Notes on Minnesota political party names

References

  1. ↑ Description of the Office of the State Auditor
  2. ↑ A History of the Office of the State Auditor
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