Gerald Wistrand, a veteran auditor with nearly four decades of professional experience, has officially announced his candidacy for Missouri State Auditor, highlighting his commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen-focused governance. Wistrand, an information technology auditor, constitutional student/teacher, and grassroots activist, is running to ensure that Missouri’s financial oversight is conducted with professionalism, independence, and integrity.
A Professional Auditor with Extensive Experience
Unlike the current officeholder, Scott Fitzpatrick, who does not have a professional auditing background, Wistrand brings decades of experience in auditing and financial management.
“Professional experience matters. I’ve spent 38 years in the private sector auditing organizations and complex financial systems. That experience equips me to hold every level of government accountable for taxpayer dollars.”
The Importance of the Missouri State Auditor
The Missouri State Auditor plays a crucial role in maintaining government accountability, conducting independent audits of state agencies and local governments, and ensuring that public funds are used responsibly. The office reviews financial statements, detects waste and fraud, and provides citizens with accurate information about government spending.
Addressing Audit Timeliness and County Accountability
A major focus of Wistrand’s campaign is improving the timeliness of audits and ensuring follow-up reviews are conducted efficiently. He cited delays in one audit, the Jackson County Assessor’s Office, as an example of why improvements are needed.
To address this, Wistrand proposes that county audit reports be published directly on each county’s website, rather than just on the State Auditor’s website. He plans to coordinate with county officials to ensure that audit results are accessible, timely, and transparent, providing residents with direct links to each county’s financial reports.
Promoting Transparency Through Technology
Wistrand plans to leverage technology to make government financial information more accessible and transparent. His proposals include:
- Financial information for each county, allowing residents, journalists, and watchdog organizations to track government spending.
- Coordinated publication of county audit reports to ensure the information is current and accurate.
- Using technology to facilitate communication between the auditor’s office, county officials, and citizens.
Independence and Nonpartisan Leadership
Independence is a cornerstone of Wistrand’s platform. He stressed that he is not beholden to political parties or special interests.
“I will run the auditor’s office for the citizens of Missouri, not for any political agenda. Independence ensures that audits are unbiased and that financial information is evaluated objectively.”
Wistrand also highlighted that he is not a career politician. His focus is on auditing and public service, rather than climbing the political ladder. This professional approach will allow him to prioritize accountability and transparency above partisan considerations.
Citizen Engagement and Whistleblower Protections
Communication with citizens is central to Wistrand’s vision for the auditor’s office. Recognizing that the auditor has limited enforcement power, he plans to strengthen citizen engagement and make public input a cornerstone of his work. His plans include:
- Holding meetings across the state, not just in major cities, to hear concerns and gather input from residents.
- Encouraging whistleblowers to report misuse of public funds.
- Prioritizing issues identified by citizens and local officials to address the most pressing accountability concerns.
Context: Federal Funding and Local Budgets
Wistrand also pointed out that federal funding for state programs will run out soon, making proper auditing more important than ever. With shrinking federal dollars, Missouri counties and state agencies will face increased pressure to manage resources efficiently. Timely, accurate audits will help ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely and that government initiatives focus on true needs rather than wants.
Wistrand’s Vision for Missouri
Gerald Wistrand describes his campaign as citizen-focused, emphasizing professional oversight, technological innovation, and grassroots engagement. By combining decades of auditing experience with a commitment to public service, Wistrand aims to restore trust in Missouri state and local governments by insuring they are more transparent and accountable.
About Gerald Wistrand
Gerald Wistrand is an experienced auditor, IT professional, and constitutional student/teacher with 38 years of private-sector auditing experience. His platform emphasizes:
- Professional, unbiased audits at all levels of government.
- Greater transparency through technology and online financial databases.
- Strong citizen engagement and communication across Missouri.
- Coordination with counties to provide accessible audit information directly to residents.
- Independence from political interests and a focus on public service.
For more information about Gerald Wistrand’s campaign, platform, and volunteer opportunities, visit mo4u.us.
