Here's how the Republicans running for Iowa state auditor plan to be your watchdog

Two Republicans are running in the June 7 primary for a chance to challenge Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand in the general election.

The candidates are Todd Halbur and Mary Ann Hanusa. Halbur is a small business owner and realtor. Hanusa is a former state lawmaker and director of special projects for a nonprofit.

The state auditor is widely considered the "taxpayer's watchdog." It provides regular oversight of state agencies and can author special reports.

Early voting has already started in the June 7 primary election. Here's how to vote.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent surveys to every candidate in a local competitive primary. The candidate responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Candidates appear in alphabetical order by last name.

More: How to vote early in Iowa's 2022 primary elections from registration to voting locations

Who are the candidates running for Iowa state auditor?

Todd Halbur 

• Age: 55

• Town of residence: Clive

• Party affiliation: Republican

• Education: University of Iowa, bachelor’s degree in business.

• Occupation: Small business owner of a school supply distribution company and a licensed Realtor.

• Previous elected offices held: None

• Major civic activities: Founded and operated a non-profit, Teacher Tools 4 Tomorrow that provided teachers in lower-income schools with classroom supplies; several volunteer hours at school activities, school sports, and church activities.

Mary Ann Hanusa

• Age: 59

• Town of residence: Council Bluffs

• Party affiliation: Republican

• Education:  Bachelor's of science, Concordia University; master's University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Occupation:  Director of Special Projects, Children’s Square, USA, Council Bluffs

• Previous elected offices held: state House of Representatives

• Major civic activities:  As the President of the Friends of the Union Pacific Museum, I directed the efforts to raise $2.5 million to renovate Council Bluffs’ Carnegie Library for use as the Museum.

Describe the key differences between you and your opponent.

Halbur: I am not a career politician, so therefore I am a fresh voice with common sense ideas for 21st Century finance. I am running for state auditor because I believe Iowa needs an auditor with the financial background and qualifications that I have as a prior banker and former CFO of a state agency. I have over 15 years of experience in banking and finance. I have over 18 years of experience as a small business owner. I was the CFO for three years over the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Hanusa: I was an Iowa State Representative for 10 years, and held the line on spending, helped create the state budget each year and chaired the House Government Oversight Committee. In that role, I brought the heads of state agencies to the committee to ask the tough questions necessary to make sure that Iowans’ tax dollars were used appropriately and as the Legislature intended. My opponent has filed an active lawsuit against the taxpayers of Iowa for $7.5 million. I will not wage war against the taxpayers in court while serving as the guardian of their taxpayer dollars.

The auditor’s office is described as the “taxpayer’s watchdog.” What would be your priorities to protect taxpayers?

Halbur: Protecting Iowa’s taxpayer dollars by following the rule of law instead of being a politician. Operate the office with integrity, accountability, and openness to all Iowa Taxpayers. Have our government be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars according to the state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

Hanusa: Before using taxpayer-funded staff time and office resources to launch investigations, I will ensure that each investigation is based on facts and the evidence and not a political agenda. Each investigation must warrant the use of taxpayer dollars. Audits completed on time will be a priority so that no tax dollars are wasted on the county, state, or local levels. Appropriate and necessary use of taxpayer dollars must include the Auditor’s office. Each position and job description will be reviewed and scrutinized to ensure that it is necessary to maintain efficiency in the work of protecting Iowans’ tax dollars.

Local and state governments have been sent billions of federal dollars after the COVID-19 pandemic. How would the auditor’s office, under your leadership, help keep track of that money?

Halbur: Start by reviewing the contract and terms and conditions of the contract. Set up monitoring and auditing of the receipt and expenditures based on the disbursement of funds. Review and determine if the receipt and expenditures of those funds are consistent with the laws, rules, regulations, and contractual agreements governing those funds and if not take the corrective action necessary to bring it back into compliance.

Hanusa: Under my leadership, the auditor’s office will maintain detailed records of the distribution and stated purpose of these funds. The use and expenditure of federal COVID dollars will be reviewed through audits of state government agencies and local governments. If an office audit determines that these funds were not used appropriately, investigations will be undertaken and further audits may be necessary. I will issue a directive to all state agencies, local governments, school districts, and other entities subject to audits by the auditor’s office that separate records of state and federal funds must be maintained so that the use of each is clear.

Republicans have accused auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, of using the office for political gain. How would you ensure Democrats couldn’t make the same argument about you if you win?

Halbur: I am not a politician. I will use my experience to focus on the role of the auditor’s office and how to run it more effectively and efficiently, rather than political status.

Hanusa: The auditor’s office is about public service, not politics. There is no room for politics in this office. I will establish an atmosphere in the office that is free of politics. I will not offer commentary or opinions on political issues of the day, nor will I use social media to do so. I will not identify the party affiliation of Iowans involved in state auditor investigations. My focus and that of my staff will always be the taxpayers of Iowa and ensuring that their tax dollars are spent appropriately on the state, county, and local levels.

Conversely, if you win, how will voters know you will hold the members of your own party accountable?

Halbur: I have already been a taxpayer watchdog and whistleblower of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division while being their CFO.

Hanusa: As state auditor, my party affiliation will disappear when conducting official business. I will be a fair and impartial taxpayer watchdog for all Iowans. My focus in the Iowa House was the people of House District 16 regardless of party affiliation. My record in the House reflects my focus on my district and my constituents, and that I gave them my first allegiance, regardless of party leadership or legislation. As state auditor, my allegiance will be to all Iowans to protect their tax dollars.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Todd Halbur, Mary Ann Hanusa are running for Iowa state auditor