Training and Experience
Ohio Secretary of State (2018-Present), Ohio Senator (2010-2018)
Volunteer/Community Service
Member of the U.S. Army in the Ohio National Guard
The most important functions of the Auditor of State are ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in government; protecting taxpayers from fraud, waste, and abuse; and giving the public confidence that their tax dollars are being managed responsibly. The office plays a critical role by auditing state and local entities, identifying weaknesses in financial controls, investigating misuse of public money, and helping public agencies operate more effectively. Those responsibilities matter because taxpayers deserve honest government, and public officials should be held to the highest standards when they are entrusted with public resources. The office also performs performance audits aimed at improving economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in public operations.
My goal is to strengthen the Auditor’s office as an independent watchdog that is focused not only on finding problems, but also on helping government work better. That means continuing to prioritize transparency, efficiency, and accountability; using audits and performance reviews to identify ways agencies and local governments can improve operations; expanding efforts to detect fraud, waste, and abuse early; and making sure audit findings are clear, timely, and useful to the public and to the entities being audited. I also believe the Auditor’s office should be a constructive partner to local governments by helping them improve internal controls and deliver the services their constituents depend on, and strengthening trust in government.
I will insist on strong, independent oversight, aggressive investigation of fraud, waste, and abuse, and clear accountability when public funds are misused. That includes supporting thorough financial and compliance audits, strengthening internal controls, encouraging timely reporting of suspicious activity, and using the office’s investigative tools to pursue wrongdoing wherever it occurs. Just as importantly, I believe prevention matters: training, transparency, and strong financial practices can stop problems before they become scandals. Taxpayers deserve confidence that every public dollar is being handled responsibly and that anyone who abuses the public trust will be held accountable. I will also support practical safeguards that help deter misuse before it starts across government.
The Auditor’s role is to follow the public money. When non-public schools receive public funds or participate in publicly funded programs, the Auditor has a responsibility to ensure those dollars are used lawfully, properly, and in accordance with applicable requirements. The office’s role is not to interfere with the mission or beliefs of a non-public school, but to provide oversight wherever taxpayer funds are involved and to investigate credible allegations of misuse. That is the same standard that should apply across the board: if public dollars are being spent, the public has a right to expect accountability. The Auditor’s core authority is tied to public money and legal compliance, and to ensuring public funds are used for their intended purpose, with transparency and accountability.
I would approach redistricting with seriousness, transparency, and respect for both the Ohio Constitution and the people of our state. Ohioans may not always agree on the outcome, but they should be able to expect a process that is open, constitutional, and understandable to the public. The goal should be constitutional maps that provide clear representation, preserve communities where possible, and are drawn through a process the public can understand and trust. Because the Auditor serves on the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission, that responsibility requires independence, careful attention to legal standards, and a commitment to conducting the process openly and responsibly.
