(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Republicans hosted the the second of two “Know your candidates” forums Monday evening, in Atlantic, at the Cass County Community Center. Among the candidates in attendance were two candidates for State Auditor: Mary Ann Hanusa, from Council Bluffs, and Todd Halbur, from Clive. He’s a native of Carroll.

Todd Halbur

Mary Ann Hanusa

Hanusa is a former staffer to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley and White House aide in both Bush administrations. She said the State Auditor is a watchdog for your tax dollars. Incumbent Democrat Auditor Rob Sand, she said, has used his office to launch baseless investigations into the Governor’s Office.

Hanusa pointed to her record of “accountability in state government” as a reason she should win the election.

Todd Halbur says he’s a life-long Republican and involved in politics, but this is his first time as a candidate. His wife Diane is a native of Griswold. He says he’s running because there’s been a lack of CPA’s in office for too many years.

He said he’s running for the office State Auditor because for a year, not one candidate stood up as a CPA or a even a banker.

Halbur is a former banker, a small business owner and former CFO for the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Other Candidates in attendance in advance of the June 7^th Primary, included: Senator Jim Carlin – candidate for the U-S House of Representatives; Gary Leffler – candidate for U-S House/3rd District; and Candidates for State Auditor, Todd Halbur and Mary Ann Hanusa.

Representatives were also on-hand for Senator Charles Grassley, who is running for re-election to the U-S Senate, and Nicole Hasso, Candidate for U-S House in the 3rd District. State Senator Zach Nunn was unable to attend to a family matter.