Two Republicans and one Democrat are running for Iowa state auditor.
Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer and Iowa County Supervisor Abigail Maas will compete in the June 2 Republican primary. Attorney Taylor Wettach is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, state and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Click below to see learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key issues:
| Bios | Top issue | Public transparency | Protect taxpayers | Public accountability |
Who is Chris Cournoyer?
Who is Abigail Maas?
Who is Taylor Wettach?
What would be your top issue if elected?
Cournoyer (R): It starts with showing up and focusing on the job to ensure that the employees of the Auditors’ Office have the leadership, tools and resources they need to get audits and investigations done in a timely manner. I would also work to modernize the office with technology and best practices to effectively root out waste, fraud and abuse, which includes working with local and state government to implement DOGE recommendations for government efficiencies. We can leverage AI to usher the office into the next generation of financial auditing, improving efficiency, accuracy and depth of analysis.
Maas (R): My top issue will be working with the legislature to change Iowa Code to require every entity levying taxes to be audited and on a yearly basis. We have over $51 million per year that is going unaccounted for because it’s not required to be audited. Every tax dollar warrants an audit. Cities with fewer than 2,000 residents are only required to be audited once every eight years, and it’s no surprise this is where a lot of the fraud has been occurring. Yearly audits are standard in the private sector, and we need to run the state more like a business.
Wettach (D): I will work to ensure our government is transparent and accountable. Today, too many Iowans are stretched thin by everything from health care costs to housing costs — the last thing they should have to worry about is whether their tax dollars are being wasted or misused. This race isn’t about left versus right. It’s about right versus wrong. It’s about making sure our government works for Iowans and isn’t rigged by those at the very top against the rest of us. And I’m ready to stand up for Iowans.
What policies would you enact to ensure the auditor’s work is transparent and accessible to the public?
Maas (R): I have proposed implementing a statewide software system for accounting purposes for all entities levying property taxes. The goal is to eliminate accounting variables, increase auditing efficiency and increase transparency to the public. This software will make all data available online for the public to see exactly how their hard-earned money is being spent — dollar for dollar. Transparency will naturally curb the appeal to waste or steal public dollars and empower the public to be more informed in their local elections.
Wettach (D): Just as the state auditor works to ensure our government is transparent and accessible, it is essential for the state auditor to live up to those same values. Town halls are a great tool to ensure folks can hear about our work, ask questions, and truly understand the state auditor’s role in protecting taxpayer funds, fighting corruption and going after waste, fraud and abuse. I will also continue and expand the PIE program, which is an incredible tool to encourage public innovation and efficiency, with easy-to-follow guidance for local leaders.
Cournoyer (R): As lieutenant governor, a former school board member and state senator, I’ve worked every day to make Iowa’s government leaner, smarter and more accountable. The Auditor’s Office should lead by example, implementing innovative technology like AI, working with local governments to find efficiencies, and giving citizens the transparency they deserve through enhanced promotion of Iowa’s transparency portal. I will implement a grant program and provide technical expertise for local governments to modernize and implement technology that is transparent and shows accountability at all levels of government.
What priorities would you adopt to protect taxpayers and preserve the state auditor’s role as the “taxpayer’s watchdog?”
Wettach (D): Protect taxpayers by stopping waste, fraud and abuse in government — wherever it might be. Fight corruption and efforts to weaken the authority and independence of the state auditor — no matter who’s in power. Make government spending more transparent so Iowans can understand where their hard-earned money is going. Work with anyone — Democrat, independent or Republican — who believes in accountability and that doing things the right way matters.
Cournoyer (R): I would start by “auditing the Auditor’s Office” to find out what is needed in the office by the employees to complete audits and investigations in a timely and efficient manner. I will seek to provide leadership, resources and be an advocate to the employees in the office to ensure they have everything they need to investigate and root out waste, fraud and abuse at every level of government. For the past eight years, audits have taken way too long — sometimes up to 3 years to be completed. That is simply not acceptable. I will make it a priority to complete audits in a timely manner.
Maas (R): The Auditor’s Office is funded by tax dollars, and I think it’s important to first examine if those dollars are being stewarded well. The bulk of the expense is on salaries and benefits of the employees, and I will make sure we are running as efficiently as possible. All audits are also billed by the cost of the employees performing the work so it’s important we try to save other public entities money too. I have experience managing employees in the public and private sector and will work hard to ensure quality leadership starts at the top.
How would you ensure the auditor’s office pursues accountability without regard to partisan affiliation?
Cournoyer (R): I would also take the politics out of the office. The auditor should be solely focused on the data and facts of any given situation. So it won’t matter to me if someone is an R, a D or an independent; if they are stealing from the Iowan taxpayer, I will seek them out and hold them accountable. I realize this will not make me popular with some members of my own party sometimes, but I’m not running for auditor to make friends, I’m running to be the Taxpayer Watchdog and look out for the Iowa taxpayer, regardless of political affiliation
Maas (R): I am an outsider and the candidate running on true reform and meaningful change — not a political title. I don’t have ties to other elected officials. I also present commonsense policies that resonate with both political parties. I am simply running so Iowans can rest assured their tax dollars are actually being watched, and they are being watched well. I will fight for the taxpayers at every level, no matter who I am up against or which party they belong to.
Wettach (D): I will work with anyone — Democrat, independent or Republican — who believes in accountability and that doing things the right way matters. When Rob Sand was first elected, he had three deputies: a Democrat, an independent and a Republican. I plan to continue this practice and respect the dedicated public servants in the State Auditor’s Office, who have done this work throughout Republican and Democratic administrations. This race isn’t about left versus right. It’s about right versus wrong.
Read much more about all the 2026 midterm candidates at: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/news/elections/.
Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at nelhajj@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hear where the candidates for Iowa State Auditor stand on key issues
Reporting by Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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