As state government’s top accountability cop, Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, has earned a reputation for thoroughness, competence and trust among Republicans and Democrats. Voters would be smart to retain him in the Nov. 4 election.
Sonntag was first elected to the office in 1992, and was long a champion of requiring performance audits of state agencies and programs, something voters approved in 2005 with Initiative 900. Since its passage, Sonntag’s office has performed 11 performance audits and made nearly 500 recommendations geared toward greater efficiency and effectiveness. An audit last December of the Port of Seattle famously found an agency vulnerable to “waste, fraud and abuse,” problems that are being addressed.
He is also a recognized champion of open and transparent government, and isn’t afraid to get under the skin of local elected leaders by criticizing efforts to keep citizens’ business under wraps.
Sonntag is challenged by Republican Dick McEntee, who also ran for auditor in 2000, and believes his calls then for performance audits helped make them a reality. The former executive for Nalley’s Fine Foods argues that now the auditor needs to push to get the audits’ recommendations enacted, and says he would work with legislative leaders to make that happen.
Sonntag has been rebuffed by some lawmakers who seem to resent some of his office’s recommendations, but he says he’ll keep working to get them discussed, which is appropriate. Public pressure must also be brought to bear.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Democrat Brad Owen is seeking a fourth term, and we think he’s earned it.
One of the lieutenant governor’s chief duties is to preside over the state Senate, which Owen does with even-handed effectiveness that encourages civility. He served several terms as a legislator before becoming lieutenant governor in 1997, so understands the Senate’s procedural nuances well.
Owen has also become the welcoming face of Washington state government for many visiting dignitaries, and takes advantage of such opportunities to promote trade and economic development.
He faces a credible challenge from Republican Marcia McCraw, a lawyer with experience in the public and private sectors who says she is an efficiency expert and would help rid Olympia of fiscal waste.
McCraw has lived in Asia and says she speaks fluent Mandarin, a clear plus in the office’s trade and economic development role. She says she’s been studying parliamentary procedure, and would bring a bipartisan spirit to Senate proceedings.
She might well do that, but in the absence of a good reason to replace the capable Owen, we recommend sticking with him.
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