FAYETTEVILLE -- One major party candidate for state auditor said the post shouldn't be merged in a reshuffling of state constitutional offices, while the other said she might support a merger.
The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for auditor candidates at noon Friday at chamber headquarters.
Republican nominee Andrea Lea of Russellville is a state House member serving her last term. She said lawmakers will give a proposal to merge offices serious consideration after recent scandals in the state treasurer's and the lieutenant governor's offices. Treasurer Martha Shoffner, a Democrat, resigned May 21, 2013 and was later found guilty of accepting bribes. Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, a Republican, resigned Feb. 1 after his use of campaign money for personal expenses came to light.
Democratic candidate Regina Stewart Hampton of Little Rock said the auditor's office isn't touched by scandal, is operating efficiently and shouldn't be merged on account of the actions of others. Hampton has worked in that office for 12 years, first during the administration of then-auditor Jim Wood and throughout the term of retiring auditor Charlie Daniels. Libertarian candidate Brian Leach of Fort Smith didn't attend the forum.
Lea called for a thorough assessment of the state's needs and possible gains in efficiency before she would consider a merger.
"I'm not running for an office I want to eliminate," she said.
Any such merger would require a voter-approved state constitutional amendment, she said. The Legislature will consider placing such an amendment on the 2016 ballot. The next legislative session begins in January.
The auditor's office tracks the accounts of all state agencies and pays all state expenses, among other duties.
Both Lea and Hampton thanked the chamber for providing a forum just on this contest. High-profile races for U.S. Senate and for governor have dominated most campaign events they attend, Lea said.
"This race is important," she said. "Thank you for having us and not having anybody else."
Hampton cited her experience in the auditor's office as her chief qualification for the job. She is black, but said she hopes to win "based on my character and not the color of my skin. I've served the state with integrity and honesty. Arkansas has been good to me, and I hope to give back to the state."
Lea cited her legislative career with a record of supporting open government and open records, including support of an online "checkbook" allowing the public to track state spending.
"I'm a pretty blunt, frank person," said said. "I'm running to do a job, not get out in front and grandstand."
Both Lea and Hampton are members of Women Lead Arkansas, a nonpartisan group that encourages women to run for office. The state auditor's office is the only state constitutional office in which both major party's nominees are women, Lea said.
"Here's a news flash: We're going to have a woman state auditor," Lea said.
NW News on 09/06/2014