"I believe the reason this office is not required to be a CPA is that when there is a problem, as we've had recently, the people can send one of their own into government to audit their government," he said. "That's what they've done here."

Thomas also said he is a fiscally conservative Republican and said that is important in a county auditor.

"I am probably the most fiscally conservative Democrat in the state of Utah," Stevens said. "I'm a Reagan Democrat. But let me just add that that has nothing to do with auditing."

Two other candidates are running for auditor — Libertarian Richard Barnes and Personal Choice Party candidate Christopher Nizzardini. Neither have returned phone calls seeking comment.

More information is available on Stevens at www.vote-pete.com. Thomas does not have a campaign Web site, but a profile on him, as well as on Stevens, is available at www.utahelections.net.

---

E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com