Re-elect Brian Sonntag

Incumbent Washington state Auditor Brian Sonntag deserves re-election.

Brian Sonntag deserves re-election as state auditor — no question about it.

In the job for almost 16 years, the Democrat has never fallen victim to inertia but rather has risen to meet the higher-and-higher expectations he has set for his own office and public agencies.

After more than a decade of arguing for the authority to expand beyond the routine audits of government agencies, Sonntag was able to begin doing performance audits of agencies after voters approved an initiative in 2005. The Legislature was not going to budge.

His office has completed 11 performance audits recommending changes that could save $3.2 billion. Among them is the Port of Seattle audit — its stunning findings attracted a federal investigation. By the end of this year, the state Department of Transportation will have implemented 80 percent of recommendations in four performance audits.

Sonntag, who was Pierce County auditor before he was state auditor, is a public servant in the truest sense of the term. Usually affable, he turns downright flinty at signs of government inefficiency, incompetence or arrogance. About the latter, the auditor takes very seriously the value that government serves the people, not the other way around.

Case in point: Sonntag's office conducted a performance audit taking on the issue of government responsiveness to public-records requests. The city of Seattle performed the worst of all 30 agencies, but was spurred to streamline its request process to be more citizen friendly.

Sonntag's opponent now and eight years ago, Republican Richard McEntee, is critical of the exercise, and thinks Sonntag could have accomplished much more, sooner.

Having watched Sonntag's determined battles over several years, we disagree. Sonntag deserves re-election.

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This is what the state’s daily newspapers said about Brian the last time they endorsed him:

“Sonntag has shown the aggressiveness and integrity needed in an independent auditor for the state . . . . Sonntag is one of the best public servants produced by the state.” The Seattle Times

“Brian Sonntag has amassed a much-deserved reputation as a first-rate watchdog over public agencies’ spending.” The (Vancouver) Columbian

“Sonntag has done an outstanding job. He is one of the most, if not the most, responsive public officials in the state.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

“. . . . steadfast and serious management . . . . Sonntag continues to press for accountability and performance in state agencies.” Seattle P-I

“Brian Sonntag, a superb state auditor, has sharpened the office’s attention to its watchdog role over state and local agencies . . . . Recommending Sonntag for re-election is the easiest call on the ballot.” Spokesman Review

“If ever there was a man born to audit, it is Brian Sonntag. He has overseen the state auditor’s office for 12 years and is one of the reasons that state and local agencies remain largely free of financial scandal.” Skagit Valley Herald

“He is hands down one of the most savvy, diligent and effective auditors the state has ever had.” Yakima Herald-Republic

“(Sonntag) is one of state government’s leading defenders of open government.” The (Everett) Herald

“Under Sonntag’s leadership, the auditor’s office has earned a reputation for thoroughness and fairness in their reviews of local governments, school districts and other public agencies.” The (Tacoma) News Tribune

“Brian Sonntag has earned the public’s trust and respect and deserves a fourth term as state auditor.” The Olympian

“The Democrat is good at the main part of his job, which is to keep governments around the state on the up and up when it comes to financing and governance. He is even better as an advocate for citizens.” Bellingham Herald

“He has brought a high level of professionalism to the office, earning it national recognition for innovative audit practices.” Longview Daily News

“Sonntag continues his record of being a champion for the taxpayers and efficient government with thorough and objective auditing for our state and local government entities.” Centralia Chronicle

“. . . . Sonntag still is running a strong campaign that includes a clear path for the future.” Tri-City Herald