reprinted from

LAKE COUNTRY ECHO
Pequot Lakes, Minnesota

July 27, 2006

State auditor candidate has cabin in Fifty Lakes

Rebecca Otto is running on the DFL ticket for state auditor.

Rebecca Otto stops in Pequot on campaign swing through area

BY NANCY VOGT Echo Editor

The DFL Party's endorsed candidate for state auditor has a local connection. Rebecca Otto and her husband, Shawn, own a little old log cabin in Fifty Lakes.

After spending the night at her cabin. Otto stopped in Pequot Lakes on July 19 during a campaign swing through the area. She said the cabin had been in the same family for many years, and her family has owned it for three years.

Otto's year-round residence is a small farm near Marine on St. Croix on the northern edge of Washington County. She and her husband, a screen play writer, have a son. Jake, 11.

The state auditor's office oversees Minnesota's local units of government, including counties, cities, school districts and townships. Its primary purpose is to ensure financial and legal compliance with state and federal law and accounting standards, and to provide information on the financial condition of local communities. It's an office people don't know much about, Otto said.

"It has a direct connection to folks, especially communities," she said.

Otto, 43, promotes good fiscal policy.

'This race boils down to property tax and competence," she said, noting she would fight for communities at both state and federal levels. She doesn't want to see the state dump/budget issues on local communities.

"None of us wants to see money wasted," Otto said, noting she drives a hybrid car and has a wind generator in her back yard. The Ottos designed and built their passive solar home.

She ran a small business for 20 years, painting and decorating historic restoration contracting, that she helped build up to 50 employees before selling.

"I'm deeply concerned about the future." Otto said about her reason for seeking the state auditor's post. "It's about good fiscal policy. The office is there to help strengthen communities rather than weaken them and that's something I get very excited about."

She's all about creating change to strengthen communities. "For me, it's about leaving a legacy."

Ono served on the Forest Lake School Board, and she served one term in the state House of Representatives after winning a special election in 2003.

She said former state auditors tended to be former state representatives. Their staff is made up of certified public accountants.

"My background actually is a perfect fit for this office," she said. "I understand we need to be a team in state and local government. State and local governments need to serve communities. It's about being a bridge between state and local governments, voice for communities at the state and federal levels."

Pat Anderson is the incumbent state auditor.