State Auditor of Missouri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids State Auditor of Missouri
Seal of the State Auditor of Missouri
Incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick since January 9, 2023
Term length	4 years
Formation	1820
First holder	William Christy
Website	Missouri State Auditor's Office Website

The state auditor of Missouri is an important elected official in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Missouri. This person helps make sure that public money is used correctly. Since Missouri became a state, 38 different people have held this job. The current State Auditor is Scott Fitzpatrick, who is a Republican.

How the State Auditor Is Chosen

Serving a Four-Year Term

The State Auditor serves for four years. This official is the only state leader elected in years when there is no presidential election. This means their election happens at a different time than many other big elections.

Who Can Be State Auditor?

To become the State Auditor, a person must meet the same rules as someone running for governor. This ensures that the person in charge is qualified for the job.

What the State Auditor Does

Keeping an Eye on Public Money

The Missouri Constitution says the State Auditor must watch over how public money is received and spent. Public money comes from taxes and fees. It is used for things like schools, roads, and public safety. The Auditor also sets up good ways for all government offices to keep track of their money. This includes state agencies and local governments like cities and counties.

Auditing State and Local Governments

The State Auditor checks the money of about 200 state groups. These include different departments, boards, and commissions. They also check the state's court system. The Auditor looks at how money is spent and if programs are working well.

The Auditor also checks counties, cities, and school districts. They can do this on their own, or if a local government does not have its own outside auditor. Sometimes, citizens can even ask the Auditor to check their local government. This helps make sure that all public money is used wisely and honestly.

A Special Role in the U.S.

Missouri's State Auditor is unique. It is one of only four states where the Auditor's main duties are written right into the state's constitution. The other states with similar roles are New York, Utah, and Washington. This shows how important the Auditor's job is in Missouri.

Recent State Auditors

In recent years, there have been a few changes in the State Auditor's office. Tom Schweich was elected in 2010 and again in 2014. After he passed away in 2015, John Watson temporarily held the office.

Then, Nicole Galloway was chosen by Governor Jay Nixon to take over the job. She started in April 2015 and was later elected for a full term. Most recently, Scott Fitzpatrick was elected as State Auditor in 2022. He started his term on January 9, 2023.

List of Missouri State Auditors

Here is a list of the people who have served as State Auditor for Missouri:

#	Image	Name	Party	Term	County
1		William Christy	Democratic-Republican	1820–1821	St. Louis
2		William V. Rector	Democratic-Republican	1821–1823	St. Louis, MO
3		Elias Barcroft	Democratic-Republican	1823–1833	St. Louis
4		Henry Shurlds	Democratic	1833–1835	Washington
5		Peter Garland Glover	Democratic	1835–1837	Callaway
6		Hiram H. Baber	Democratic	1837–1845	Cole
7		William Monroe	Democratic	1845	Morgan
8		James W. McDearmon	Democratic	1845–1848	St. Charles
9		George W. Miller	Democratic	1848–1849	Cole
10		Wilson Brown	Democratic	1849–1852	Cape Girardeau
11		Abraham Fulkerson	Democratic	1852	Cole
12		William H. Buffington	Democratic	1853–1861	Cole
13		W. S. Moseley	Democratic	1861–1865	New Madrid
14		Alonzo Thompson	Republican	1865–1869	Nodaway
15		Daniel Draper	Republican	1869–1873	Montgomery
16		George Boardman Clark	Democratic	1873–1875	Washington
17		Thomas Holloday	Democratic	1875–1881	Madison
18		John Walker	Democratic	1881–1889	Howard
19		James Monroe Seibert	Democratic	1889–1901	Cape Girardeau
20		Albert Otis Allen	Democratic	1901–1905	New Madrid
21		William Werner Wilder	Republican	1905–1909	Ste. Genevieve
22		John Pemberton Gordon	Democratic	1909–1917	Lafayette
23		George Ernst Hackman	Republican	1917–1925	Warren
24		Lorenzo Dow Thompson	Republican	1925–1933	Callaway
25		Forrest Smith	Democratic	1933–1949	Ray
26		W. H. Holmes	Democratic	1949–1953	Maries
27		Haskell Holman	Democratic	1953–1971	Randolph
28		Christopher Bond	Republican	1971–1973	Audrain
29		John Ashcroft	Republican	1973–1975	Greene
30		George W. Lehr	Democratic	1975–1977	Jackson
31		Thomas M. Keyes	Democratic	1977–1978	Jackson
32		James Antonio	Republican	1978–1984	Cole
33		Margaret B. Kelly	Republican	1984–1999	Cole
34		Claire McCaskill	Democratic	1999–2007	Jackson
35		Susan Montee	Democratic	2007–2011	Buchanan
36		Tom Schweich	Republican	2011–2015	St. Louis
37		John Watson	Democratic	2015	Cole
38		Nicole Galloway	Democratic	2015–2023	Boone
39		Scott Fitzpatrick	Republican	2023–present