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The auditor of public accounts oversees an office that conducts audits of state agencies, boards and bureaus.

The auditor also is responsible for annual audits of certain political subdivisions and federal funds and reviews all audits conducted by auditors of political subdivisions.

In addition, the state auditor can conduct performance audits, objective examinations of a state program to determine its effectiveness, efficiency and compliance with legislative intent.

The office also conducts investigations of reports of alleged government waste, fraud and abuse.

The auditor, who serves a four-year term and is paid $85,000 a year, originally was the general accountant and revenue officer for the Nebraska Territory. The duties of the office expanded and evolved over the decades as modern accounting theory has been implemented.

Charlie Janssen of Fremont, who was elected in 2014, is not running for reelection.

Seeking to replace him are Republicans Mike Foley, Legal Marijuana Now candidate L. Leroy Lopez of Cortland and Libertarian Gene Siadek of Omaha.

Editor's note: Candidate L. Leroy Lopez did notÌýrespond for the Voter's Guide.

Age: 58

Address: 4231 N. 161st St., Omaha

Occupation: Manager, Metropolitan Utilities District

Political party: Libertarian

Website:Ìý

What experiences qualify you for this office?

I have an MBA. I have served as a board member of Family Focus Credit Union for many years including serving as chairman. I currently serve on the credit union's investment committee. I am a manager for the Metropolitan Utilities District with a staff of 32 and operation and capital budget of $6 million. I am familiar with government budgetary processes.

Why do you want to be auditor?

I have been involved in the political process for many years including running for several offices. My sole intention is to expand individual liberty. As auditor I would be a very aggressive watchdog of government spending practices looking for waste, fraud and abuse.

What would be your priorities?

To work hard for the taxpayers. To serve with integrity. To challenge the status quo wherever possible. To use the office to reduce the size and scope of government.

Are there specific challenges or issues that you would like to address as state auditor?

I believe tax-increment financing (TIF) is being abused by local government agencies. I would explore ways for the office to look at these tax shelters in detail to ensure they follow the law.

Are there any changes you would support or propose in the operation of the state auditor’s office?

I propose to change leadership at the top by being elected as auditor. Instead of typical passive management of the department, I plan to be very proactive and push the authority of the auditor's office as far as possible to expose questionable budgetary behavior. I also plan on being very vocal. When we expose budgetary abuse, I will do my best to shine a bright light on this activity.

Age: 68

Address: 6410 S. 41st St. Court

Occupation: Lieutenant governor

Political party: Republican

Website: None

What experiences qualify you for this office?

I previously held the position for eight years and am very familiar with the duties and responsibilities of this office.

Why do you want to be auditor?

To hold government agencies accountable for the proper expenditure of public monies and to root out waste, fraud and abuse of the people’s hard-earned tax dollars.

What would be your priorities?

Create a climate of trust between the taxpayers and those with authority to spend public funds.

Are there specific challenges or issues that you would like to address as state auditor?

To have the state publish financial reports that can be relied on.

Are there any changes you would support or propose in the operation of the state auditor’s office?

The office runs well but I will confer with the staff and solicit their ideas for improvement.