The Olympian editorial board endorses candidates for Auditor, Treasurer

Auditor: Mary Hall

Incumbent Mary Hall has done an outstanding job of making our election infrastructure trustworthy and transparent; we saw it for ourselves when we toured the ballot processing center before the primary election in August. Her office also managed to make the 2020 mid-pandemic election accessible and successful using facilities at South Puget Sound Community College.

She has been a vigilant and effective chief financial officer, and performed well the other duties of this office, which she refers to as the “Swiss army knife” of county government.

Her opponent, Sal Militello, refused an invitation for an interview with The Olympian editorial board in unprintable language. In his voters’ pamphlet statement, he vows to use his technology experience to “restore voters’ confidence in our election system.”

We endorse Mary Hall, who has already given us confidence in our election system.

County Treasurer: Jeff Gadman

Jeff Gadman, the incumbent County Treasurer, serves as banker and investment manager for the county and over 40 other jurisdictions within the county’s borders, including school districts, fire districts, the library system, and Port of Olympia. He and his staff of 12 manage a $1.1 billion investment pool.

Gadman loves math and finance, and clearly loves his job. He’s worked for the county for 36 years; we are glad he’s willing to keep at it.

Jeff Curry, his opponent, is a longtime Tumwater school bus driver who is not qualified for office.

We endorse Gadman for his expertise and dedication.