← 2006 November 2, 2010 974,517 871,867 | November 2, 2010 2014 → 50.8 45.5 | |
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The Missouri state auditor election, 2010 took place on November 2, 2010. Republican Ambassador Tom Schweich defeated incumbent Democratic State Auditor Susan Montee. This is only the third time in the last four decades that a sitting auditor in Missouri has been unseated. Schweich's victory made Schweich one of only two Republicans elected to Missouri's executive branch.
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Campaign
Incumbent Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee had token opposition. She easily defeated her lesser known opponent in the Democratic primary.
Campaign
Missouri State Representative Allen Icet announced his candidacy in June, 2009. Ambassador Tom Schweich joined the race in July, 2009, after having considered running for US Senator. The primary was a close race. Icet had experience as the chairman of the state house budget committee and he was supported by 95 state legislators. Schweich had experience managing audits and was supported by Lieutenant Governor of Missouri Peter Kinder, former United States Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, four Missouri state senators, and two former United States ambassadors.
Schweich criticized Icet for taking trips and meals from lobbyist and for the fact that the state budget rose from $19 billion to $23 billion while Icet was chairman of the house budget committee. Icet defended himself by saying that the trip he accepted was for educational purposes and by saying that most of the budget increases were due to increased federal spending and mandatory increases of things such as medicare.
In spite of Icet's support from most of the state legislators, Schweich was able to gain a fundraising advantage and bigger name endorsements.
Campaign
During the campaign Montee attacked Schweich for not being a CPA. Schweich defended himself by pointing to his experience managing audits. During the debate Schweich argured that the State Auditor ought to be more of a law enforcement official; he pointed to the fact that he has law enforcement experience, while Montee did not. Montee argued that the State Auditor should be a fiscal expert; she again pointed to the fact that she is a CPA, while Schweich is not.
In the end Schweich defeated Montee with 50.8% of the vote. Schweich obtained strong leads in the rural parts of the state which was sufficient to overcome Montee's leads in St. Louis and Jackson County.