We're continuing our series of profiles of the candidates running for some of the statewide constitutional offices. We hear next from Rich Sattgast the current South Dakota Auditor who is now running for State Treasurer.
By Charles Michael Ray
Rich Sattgast was born and raised in Spearfish. He's lived in Pierre for the last 14 years. Sattgast says he decided to through his hat in the ring after a number of country treasurers urged him to run.
"They came to me and asked if I would consider running for state treasurer because both offices work with unclaimed property as well as government investing and they've known my work and they asked me to consider that," says Sattgast.
Sattgast says his eight years of experience as State Auditor makes him the best candidate for State Treasurer.
"I have a vast understanding of the state's accounting system which is a very important part of the office I mean we are part of the checks and balances the office of the State Treasurer receives the dollars in where as the State Auditor does the pre-audits of all the expenditures and basically pays the bills for state government," says Sattgast.
Sattgast says if elected he will continue fiscally conservative management that has kept the state in relatively good shape in this recession. His opponent Tom Katus has charged that the Auditor and Treasurer have not been good watchdogs of tax dollars. But Sattgast charges Katus is mistaken.
"I think he's a little bit confused and doesn't have a clear understanding of the duties of the offices," says Sattgast.
Rich Sattgast faces Tom Katus in the race for State Treasurer.