Burlington Free Press

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010

Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water in the state auditor’s race, the fin of candidate Doug Hoffer rises above the surface. He’s shown he can count, which is a good quality for him to have.

But it’s not so good for his competitors.

Hoffer discovered discrepancies on the campaign financing report of Democrat Flanagan in this topsy-turvy race.

Flanagan, a state senator accused of indiscretion at the Burlington Y, once was state auditor and has chosen to run again for the post. Hoffer is a Progressive who chose to run as a Democrat. Tom Salmon was a Democrat who pleaded guilty to DUI who changed parties to run as a Republican.

According to The Associated Press, Hoffer also found discrepancies in Salmon’s reports that Hoffer said inflated the amount of money raised.
In the grand scheme of things, these are minor pratfalls that might have been glossed over until one candidate opened his mouth.
Flanagan told AP the campaign reports were not on his priority list.
That isn’t exactly the kind of response you’d expect from a candidate for auditor, but there it is.