This week, I’m continuing my series of interviews with candidates for Auditor by featuring Republican candidate, and state senator, John Loudon.

Sen. Loudon is from Chesterfield and has represented the people of Missouri’s Seventh District since his election in 2000. Prior to that, he served in the state House for four years (elected in 1994 and 1998). Currently, he is the chairman of the Senate’s Small Business, Insurance and Industrial Relations Committee and serves on, among others, the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee.

The interview with one of Sen. Loudon’s Republican opponents, Rep. Jack Jackson, and the Libertarian candidate, Charles Baum, can be read by visiting the Past Articles page. Representative Mark Wright, another Republican candidate, and Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee, the Democratic candidate, have been invited to participate in an interview for this website. At this point, neither has chosen to do so.

I hope to publish an interview with Platte County Auditor (and Republican candidate) Sandra Thomas soon.

Sen. Loudon: "I initially got involved in the State Auditor's race to run against Claire McCaskill. The Republicans needed a candidate who first of all, was viable, and State Senators in the middle of their terms have the best positions in that regard. But we also needed a candidate who would be dedicated to doing that job well, and in that spirit, would be committed to depoliticizing the Auditor's Office. With 12 years of experience in the Missouri Legislature, I knew I could mount a formidable campaign. A few days after I declared my candidacy, McCaskill dropped out of the race, but I remain committed to the same goal, depoliticizing the office and making the focus of the office exclusively advocating for taxpayers."

Sen. Loudon: "The State Auditor should act as an independent auditor for the citizens of the state. We believe our Taxpayers' Watchdog campaign punctuates that.

"Our four point plan is on the web at www.johnloudon.com. The auditor should be respected, but not mortally feared. When former Auditor Margaret Kelly conducted an audit of the agency I worked in during the Ashcroft administration there was no doubt she meant business. She was not however, tainted by the kind of personal political aspiration that made you feel the need to ‘lawyer up’ in order to protect yourself from trumped up accusations. That Margaret Kelly professionalism, that focuses on doing this job well, as a taxpayers' watchdog, is what we need."

Sen. Loudon: "Missourians should expect the State Auditor's Office to be managed with integrity. That means beginning with an audit of the Auditor's office and then making that office more transparent. Let me be frank, without complete honesty, the entire purpose of the Office is defeated. In order to achieve trust in the Auditor's Office, we must do two things: make the Office transparent, and take the politics out. This allows Missourians to be able to see for themselves how the office is performing."

Sen. Loudon: "I think the first step to reorganization is auditing the Auditor's Office. It is necessary that we get the office running transparently and cost-effectively. Beyond that, there is one point in my plan about which I am most enthusiastic. People I talk to, all over the State have the same perception, that the Auditor's office has been way to politicized during the current administration. I have a plan to fix that. We can remove most of the politics by privatizing performance audits. Financial audits will still be done in a fashion similar to how they are currently. Experts tell me that independent auditors around the state can conducts performance, or operational audits, more quickly and cost effectively than the state."

Sen. Loudon: "I believe we need to focus first on those areas in government that are the biggest cost areas. We need to examine use of road funds, and keep the spotlight in Medicaid fraud. These are programs measured by tens of millions, and even billions of dollars and are programs in which each of us has a stake.

Another big area is education. Since its inception, it is a fact of life that bureaucracies want to grow. We have to make sure at every step, schools in particular, that we do not allow money to be siphoned from the classrooms. My mother just retired as a teacher. She saw the waste first hand. It almost makes you sick to think of bureaucrats sitting comfortably while kids get cheated. I will do everything I can to make sure school kids can get the best we can offer and that at the same time we remove pressure from taxpayers who often feel like they keep getting asked to feed bureaucratic beasts."

Sen. Loudon: "This is a crucial question. I am glad you asked. I would refer you back to my mention of Margaret Kelly. When she came in, there was no doubt she meant business. But if the auditor comes in with thoughts of headlines, and running for the next job, you are wise to be leery. That will stop with me. Look, I was a young Republican activist when I got recruited for a House seat, the one formerly held by Jim Talent. Six years later, my Party needed a candidate for the Senate. Each time I ran, I did so with a singular focus of forcefully advocating not just for my constituents, but for all Missourians. I will put my legislative record and accomplishments, of fighting for low taxes, even receiving the Taxpayer Watchdog award, and fighting for Missouri values without regard for politics up against anyone. That will be my focus as auditor, a forceful advocate who disregards politics. If you assume that mantle honestly, there should be very few problems with executive officials of either party."

Sen. Loudon: "Every agency is different. Therefore, just what the red flags are that would trigger an investigation or an audit of an agency may be different as well. In general, we must look at patterns of behavior, such as secrecy of inventory for example. We must also monitor the input/output equations carefully to make sure that taxpayers are getting the most out of their government at the most efficient level. We would also rely on Missourians for leads on inconsistencies, because interested taxpayers are often the best detectors of inefficient governmental spending. As a past state employee in the Ashcroft administration, a small business owner, and legislator with twelve years of advocating for taxpayers, I can honestly say that no candidate from either party can match my level of preparation for knowing WHERE to look for waste, in addition to how."

Sen. Loudon: "I was born and raised in Missouri, and I have served the citizens of this great state in the Legislature for the past 12 years. Since being elected to the Missouri Senate in 2000, I have risen to be the 3rd most senior member. I am Chairman of the Small Business, Insurance & Industrial Relations and Vice-Chairman of the Governmental Accountability & Fiscal Oversight Committee. I was even awarded the Taxpayer's Watchdog Award by the Missouri Taxpayer Watchdog Association. I have authored, sponsored, and supported many pieces of vital legislation, including: Missouri Quality Jobs Act, Worker's Compensation Reform, and Parental Restoration Act. Of all the candidates, from either party, I have the deepest level of understanding of how Missouri's government works. Who better to find the waste than a taxpayers' watchdog with this level of involvement? I would greatly appreciate your vote on August 8th."