Political Philosophy for David Sundstrom, CPA

I am not a politician nor do I intend to become one. The job of Auditor-Controller has little to do with political ambitions and everything to do with professional competence, experience and integrity.

Following county governments' disastrous bankruptcy, I was recruited in 1996 to serve as Director of Internal Audit. My assignment was to help restore public and financial institutions' confidence in the integrity and operations of a discredited government.

I was to be an integral part of the solution. So far, so good. County government has emerged from bankruptcy and reached respectable bond ratings. However, much is left to be done to ensure the county's complete recovery.

I am independent of political ideologies and agendas that would interfere with discharging the duties of the office in a fair, open, and rational manner. The office of Auditor-Controller is not intended to be a "bully pulpit" that is used to express the political whims of the incumbent. Political policy is the sole domain of the Board of Supervisors. Abusing the office in this fashion would weaken the independence needed to discharge the duties of the office.

I look forward to continuing being part of the solution, to continuing pressing for more openness and accountability in how the public’s business is done.