FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             
October 17, 2006

Former Governor Arne Carlson, Republican,
endorses Rebecca Otto, Democrat, for State Auditor

SAINT PAUL – Former two-term Republican Governor Arne Carlson today formally announced his endorsement of Rebecca Otto, the DFL-endorsed candidate for State Auditor.

“I’m honored and flattered by Governor Carlson’s cross-party endorsement,” said Otto, a former State Representative from May Township. “I have always worked to bring people of differing parties and points of view together for the greater good of all Minnesotans, and Arne is aware of and appreciates that track record.”

Otto said the endorsement is especially important in the State Auditor’s race. “There probably is no position in state government where a non-partisan approach is more important,” said Otto. “For the first time in Minnesota history, we have a highly partisan state auditor, who is doing the work of her party, instead of the work of the people of Minnesota. We need to turn that around.”

Otto cited examples of how, one month after taking office, Anderson issued a report that recommended deep cuts to local government aid, which Governor Pawlenty adopted into his budget proposal one week later. The subsequent cuts have caused property taxes to soar throughout Minnesota, doubling in some places in Greater Minnesota. “She basically greased the skids for the 'no new taxes agenda,'” Otto said. Otto's web site contains charts showing the relationship between the cuts and property taxes.

Otto also points to “a very serious conflict of interest” between the State Auditor’s office and the Minnesota Republican party. Deputy State Auditor Tony Sutton is also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Republican party. “Sutton is potentially in a position as treasurer of the Republican party to authorize payments to the campaigns of some of the very people he oversees in the State Auditor’s office,” said Otto. The too-cozy relationship is aided by the fact that both organizations are housed in the same building, she said.

Carlson said he has switched his support from Anderson to Otto. He says he concurs with her concerns. “I think that independence has been lost,” Carlson said. "Rebecca Otto is a very, very good person, and I think she's exactly the kind of person we need in that job. I think her work shows that."

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