Kentucky voter guide: Allison Ball, Kim Reeder compete for state auditor position

Allison Ball and Kim Reeder are competing to be Kentucky's state auditor, one of six statewide offices on the ballot in the Nov. 7 general election.

The state auditor is a constitutional officer who acts as the chief watchdog of taxpayer dollars, responsible for conducting audits of the financing and procedures of governmental entities receiving public funds, from state and local governments, to schools and universities.

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Here are a few things to know about the two candidates and their answers to some questions we asked:

Allison Ball

Party: Republican

Age: 42

Hometown: Prestonsburg

Current job: State treasurer

Previous elected offices: State treasurer

Education: Liberty University, undergraduate; University of Kentucky, law degree

Campaign contact information: jake@ballforkentucky.com

What agency or governmental issue would be your office’s priority to investigate, and why?

My top priority as auditor will be to ensure that the primary responsibility of the auditor’s office, which is to fight waste, fraud, and abuse, is carried out fairly and consistently all across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As a former prosecutor, I will be committed to accountability and treating everyone the same way.

Why do you feel like you’re the most qualified candidate for this position?

My background shows I am ready to serve as a watchdog of taxpayer dollars in the auditor's office from day one. I have served for nearly eight years as Kentucky State treasurer, during which time I have protected taxpayer dollars by ensuring Kentucky's expenditures are constitutional, legal and correct. I have stopped cyber-attacks, fraud and embezzlement. Additionally, I have served as prosecutor and during the years immediately preceding my service as treasurer, I practiced bankruptcy law. I know how to investigate and hold people accountable. My background has well prepared me to do the job of state auditor and protect taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud and abuse.

This office is focused on transparency and accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent. What is one way you plan on fulfilling this mission for your office or Kentucky’s government as a whole?

As treasurer, I've fought for improved transparency for all of state government. I improved taxpayer access to government spending by establishing Transparency.Ky.Gov to give voters an opportunity to see how their taxpayer dollars are being spent. The more informed voters are on how their government is operating, the better. I’d continue that work by expanding beyond Frankfort to work with local and county governments to help them bring more transparency to their communities. I’d help untangle the avenues that might confuse voters and strengthen the processes by which they release their financial information to the public.

Kim Reeder

Party: Democrat

Age: 54

Hometown: Morehead

Current job: Attorney (Of Counsel, Campbell, Rogers & Stacy, Morehead, Kentucky)

Previous elected offices: None

Education: Yale University, Bachelor's in political science; Duke University, master of public policy;  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, law degree

Campaign contact information: Kinsey Eisenhour, kinsey.eisenhour@kimforkentucky.com, 606-356-9106 or Kim Reeder, kim.reeder@kimforkentucky.com, 606-776-1303

What agency or governmental issue would be your office’s priority to investigate, and why?

Given the number of Kentucky public school students and families served through our public education system, my top priority would be to audit the state’s funding allocations to local school districts (i.e., SEEK funding) to ascertain whether these allocations comply with all relevant laws. Critical aspects of this analysis would include: Whether current state funding meets adequacy and equity guidelines set forth in statutes and by the Kentucky Supreme Court in Rose v. Council on Better Education; compliance with existing statutes mandating full state funding for transporting students to and from school as well as certain aspects of special education funding would also be examined.

Why do you feel like you’re the most qualified candidate for this position?

Since I was 18, I have succeeded against the toughest challenges and in the most competitive environments. Growing up poor in Rowan County. Leaving home for Yale and graduating as a first-generation college student. Studying at Duke and UNC and earning distinction at both institutions. Building a successful career as a partner in some of the world’s largest law and accounting firms. Being recognized as one of the top ten tax lawyers in the country in 2011. Moving back to Morehead with my daughter, Ansley, in 2014 to be with my mother during the last year of her life. Staying in Morehead after she died to teach, coach and volunteer with young people. I am smart, hard-working and independent and care deeply about our commonwealth and all Kentuckians.

This office is focused on transparency and accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent. What is one way you plan on fulfilling this mission for your office or Kentucky’s government as a whole?

The most effective way to avoid any appearance of partisanship in audit selection, decisions or the audits themselves is to create a culture of transparency and accountability. An important component would be to actively seek citizen input on audits that should be pursued through town halls, increased promotion of the office's "tip line," and other means of public outreach. Particularly as it relates to discretionary audits, another key element would be requiring each audit report to include an easy-to-understand executive summary as well as robust analysis explaining in concrete terms why it was important to analyze particular issues and apply one methodology over any other.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky election 2023 auditor race: Allison Ball vs. Kim Reeder