Redistricting, residency issues in focus at Missouri auditor candidate forum

MARYLAND HEIGHTS — A contentious ballot measure, squabbles over deleted text messages and unanswered questions about residency highlighted a Friday forum for candidates for Missouri auditor, the state official in charge of being a watchdog for taxpayer dollars.

Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat, and GOP challenger Saundra McDowell also revisited prior battles over a lawsuit accusing Galloway of violating the Sunshine Law and McDowell's inability to pay her personal bills and long-term status as a Missouri resident. All the while, they each accused the other of being untruthful and thus undeserving of votes.

Heated criticism

The debate quickly took shape with a series of pointed exchanges between the two major-party candidates.

Galloway challenged as false McDowell's claim that she had "prosecuted Medicaid fraud," saying there was no evidence that the Republican had done so while in the attorney general's office.

Read more: https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/09/15/missouri-auditor-candidates-spar-over-official-transparency-personal-responsibility/1303471002/