On the DFL side of the ballot, this is uncontested and I would vote for Zack Filipovich. Since I expect the vast majority of my readers are voting in the DFL primary, this is just a “hey, check out THESE weirdos” post for everyone’s amusement. Well, also, just in case anyone searches for the State Auditor race.
On the Republican side there are three people running:
Scott Jensen
Nate George (GOP-endorsed)
Will Finn
You probably remember Scott Jensen. He’s the right-wing ghoul who lost to Tim Walz in 2022. He’s an antivaxxer, an ivermectin promoter and provider, and helped spread the gross urban legend that schools have litterboxes for students who identify as cats. (They do not.) He also promoted Trump’s big lie and is anti-abortion though maybe he no longer wants to ban it or maybe he just thinks he can’t or who even knows, really?
He really decisively lost the Republican party endorsement to Nate (77% to 23%). My suspicion is that the party faithful are as sick of him as I am.
Nate is endorsed by the Minnesota GOP, by the MCCL (anti-abortion group) because he promised to do everything they want (note: the State Auditor does not have the power to do most of the stuff they’re asking for), and by a group called Moms for America which looks to be some sort of ladies’ auxiliary for the Tea Party assholes (with strong “doesn’t Gilead look nice?” vibes.)
Nate has some legitimate qualifications but also claimed to be a “Certified Fraud Examiner” when he is not a certified fraud examiner. He is currently studying for a test to become one; the certification also requires two years of experience which it doesn’t sound like he has. He may have also claimed to be a licensed peace officer when that licensure had lapsed but honestly, that feels more excusable. He’s also now calling it a “smear” that the DFL has talked about the fact that he lied about his credentials. He’s trying to undermine the article by saying it’s “required multiple published corrections.” The article in question has been updated multiple times, to add things like, “After publication of this story, the George campaign removed infographics from both Facebook posts and replaced them with new versions that list his Certified Fraud Examiner status as ‘Anticipated By September 2026.'” In other words, the corrections were not because they made errors, but because Nate’s campaign responded to being called out by changing the information on their website (as they should!)
On the plus side he does appear to know what the job involves (auditing local governments.)
Will Finn is a libertarian who ran for State Auditor four years ago as a Grassroots – Legalize Cannabis Party candidate. This year he’s running in the Republican primary, but his LinkTree has a link to a scan of his Libertarian Party membership fee payment invoice.
When there’s a libertarian running I’m always tempted to send them this comic (“The 24 Types of Libertarian” by Barry Deutsch) and ask which one they are. Will is anti-ICE, pro-weed, and smug. I do appreciate his anti-ICE stance.
Anyway, I am 100% going to vote for Zach, and I would encourage all of you to do the same!
This seems like a good year to fundraise for a trans nonprofit, so I’m fundraising this year for TIGERRS. I don’t have a Patreon, and a fundraiser lets me see in a tangible way that people value my work, which is really helpful as a motivator. (This project is a lot of work.)
I also have a new book! Obstetrix is about an obstetrician who gets kidnapped by a cult because they want someone on hand to deliver their babies; it’s a story about enduring, surviving, and not giving up. You can buy it anywhere fine books are sold, and Uncle Hugo’s, Moon Palace, and Dreamhaven all (probably) have signed copies.
Will Tell Stories For Food 