Election 2010

Canidate Profile: Steve Barnett
Air Date: 10/28/2010

We're continuing our series profiling the candidates for some of the statewide races in South Dakota.  Today we hear from Republican Steve Barnett who is vying for the position of State Auditor.

By Charles Michael Ray

Steve Barnett hails from Aberdeen, he graduated from the University of South Dakota, worked for Wells Fargo in Sioux Falls and then moved back home to Aberdeen to work for John Thune's office.  Barnett is running for State Auditor.  It's the office that writes the checks and tracks outgoing money for state government.   Barnett says he wants to bring some new ideas and energy to the office.

"One thing that I'd like to see done is get as much bang for our buck as possible I'd like top see a little more paperless technology such as the use of electronic vouchers.  I think that will save taxpayers money in the end," says Barnett.

Barnett says continuing fiscally conservative management of state funds is important in this economy.
 
"You know Governor Rounds proposed a 15% cut across the board and I think that's a good starting point and I think these agencies across the state are going to have to get really creative ands innovative about how we go about making cuts and going forward the challenge in all the office is being able to do more with less resources," says Barnett. 

Barnett spent some time as a substitute teacher and boys tennis coach.  He says besides fulfilling his duties as Auditor he'd also like to reach out to schools to help improve the financial literacy of young people.  

"I think this day and age a lot of kids they apply to the credit card they want instant gratification for things  and I think what need to do is really install values in them that really teach them to save money so our society can kind of  get back in the black again,  says Barnett.

Republican Steve Barnett faces Democrat Julie Bartling for the office of State Auditor.