(Host) Democratic Auditor of Accounts Elizabeth Ready lost in her bid for a third term. Ready was defeated by Republican Randy Brock in a tough campaign marked by a controversy over Ready’s resume.
VPR’s Steve Zind reports.
(Zind) No one had heard of Randy Brock a few short months ago. And few people gave him a chance to unseat the incumbent in the auditor’s race. But when the retired businessman pointed out inconsistencies in Ready’s resume, he got attention. Ready admitted she put out inaccurate information about her education.
In a race seen as a squeaker, Brock recorded an easy victory. The new auditor promised to bring a new tone to the office of auditor.
(Brock) “I think it’s essential that you have an auditor’s office focused on solving problems, not simply on publicizing them. An office that’s focused on eliminating adversarial relationships and cultivating positive ones. An office that focuses not on ‘gotcha’ audits but on audits that are designed to keep people from getting in trouble in the first place.”
(Zind) During the campaign Brock criticized Ready for politicizing the auditor’s office. Tuesday night Ready said her activist approach has served voters well.
(Ready) “I think people have appreciated it and I think that in almost every case there have been improvements that have resulted. So I feel good about that.”
(Zind) Ready declined to address the issue that probably cost her the election – the false information about her education.
(Ready) “Well, I’m not going to get into that tonight. If Randy is the next auditor, it’s his night.”
(Zind) For Vermont Public Radio, I’m Steve Zind.