Election 2010

Canidate Profile: Julie Bartling
Air Date: 10/27/2010

This week we're profiling some of the candidates for the constitutional offices in Pierre. Democrat Julie Bartling is vying for the office of State Auditor.

By Charles Michael Ray 

Julie Bartling grew up near Burke South Dakota.  In 1983 she took office as the Gregory County Auditor and held the position for 18 years.  She's served in the State Legislature on the Appropriations Committee for the last decade.  Bartling says her experience makes her the best candidate for State Auditor.

"Serving on Appropriations in the Legislature for the past ten years I certainly have a handle on state government accounting funds and the mechanism for the payment of claims things of that nature," says Bartling.  

Bartling says she would continue to use technology to increase efficiency in the Auditors Office.  She says as Auditor she would also act as a watchdog of public funds.  She's calling for more transparency in the office.  Critics have argued that cronyism in Pierre keeps some state contracts secret.

"I would like to really get a handle on that and make sure that each one of those contracts has been bid appropriately to just know what is going on with them," says Bartling.

Bartling says a Democrat in the office of State Auditor would mean a more critical eye on spending in any sort of Republican controlled state government.

"There would be a balance there, a watchful balance, that would be very beneficial to the state," says Bartling.  

Democrat Julie Bartling Faces Republican Steve Barnett in the race for State Auditor.