The Office of the State Auditor has a long history, dating back before Minnesota’s entry into the Union. Prior to statehood, when Minnesota was a United States territory, there were four territorial auditors, officials charged with ensuring that the government’s finances were in order and handled properly. This continued when Minnesota became a state in 1858.
After statehood was granted, the constitutional office of State Auditor functioned as a controller for the executive branch of state government, approving expenditures in advance. A major reshuffling of responsibilities came in 1973 when the State Legislature gave the State Auditor the mission of auditing all local units of government. The Office of the Legislative Auditor was then charged with auditing state agencies and making recommendations for study topics to the Legislative Audit Commission. Previously, the Public Examiner, an official who was appointed by the Governor, carried out all audits of state agencies and local governments. That post was eliminated in the 1973 reorganization.
Minnesota State Auditors Since 1858
| Name | Residence | Assumed Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rebecca Otto | Marine on St. Croix | January 2, 2007 |
|
Patricia Anderson | Eagan | January 6, 2003 |
|
Judith H. Dutcher | Minnetonka | January 3, 1995 |
|
Mark Dayton | Minneapolis | January 7, 1991 |
|
Arne H. Carlson | Roseville | January 4, 1979 |
|
Robert W. Mattson | St. Paul | January 6, 1975 |
|
Rolland F. Hatfield | St. Paul | January 4, 1971 |
|
William J. O'Brien | Mendota Heights | March 7, 1969 |
|
Stafford King | St. Paul | January 6, 1931 |
|
Ray P. Chase | Anoka | January 5, 1921 |
|
J. A. O. Preus | Minneapolis | January 5, 1915 |
|
Samuel G. Iverson | Rushford | January 5, 1903 |
|
Robert C. Dunn | Princeton | January 7, 1895 |
|
Adolph Biermann | Rochester | January 5, 1891 |
|
W. W. Braden | Preston | January 10, 1882 |
|
O. P. Whitcomb | Rochester | January 13, 1873 |
|
Charles McIlrath | St. Paul | January 1, 1861 |
|
W. F. Dunbar | Caledonia | May 24, 1858 |
| Territorial State Auditors | |||
| Julius Georgii | St. Paul | January 17, 1854 | |
| Socrates Nelson | Stillwater | May 15, 1853 | |
| Abraham Van Vorhees | Stillwater | November 30, 1852 | |
| Jonathan McKusick | Stillwater | November 3, 1849 | |
