Q&A: 2026 Candidates for Vermont State Auditor

This constitutional officer conducts performance audits to help ensure that the state’s money is being properly managed and spent. The current auditor, Doug Hoffer, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He is not seeking reelection.

Tim Ashe

Burlington, Democrat, timashe.com

Deputy state auditor, president of Community Health Centers board, former affordable housing developer and state senator

What areas of state spending and policy deserve the most scrutiny in coming years?

Identifying strategies to lower health insurance premiums, strengthen rural communities and get better value from state housing programs. The office will do much more than that, including the core financial audits. I’ll also try to make the state budget more resilient to the actions of the president and Congress.

How could the office’s audit findings be better publicized?

I’ll be a visible presence throughout Vermont, sharing results of the office’s work and listening to communities’ concerns about state government. I’ll be comprehensive in terms of outreach strategies, including working to persuade reporters that positive audit findings merit attention, too, not just the instances when government has fallen short.

Ivar Kronick

Poultney, Republican, votekronick.com

Manage finances and audits at $3 million company; served as city councilor, treasury committee member

What areas of state spending and policy deserve the most scrutiny in coming years?

My biggest concern is Health and Human Services, where the risk to children is too high. Medicaid also faces significant problems. I will keep working on these areas. The auditor’s office also fails to conduct regular risk assessments, which are essential to identifying fraud, waste and abuse.

How could the office’s audit findings be better publicized?

Our site lacks transparency and usability. I propose a Grand Schedule listing all reports, findings, recommendations, follow-ups and audits — upcoming and ongoing — in one searchable drop-down list. This makes information easier for users to access. I also think the public deserves report summaries free of jargon and acronyms such as TIF.