Daryl Splichal worked for MDU Resources Group Inc. of Bismarck for 27 years as an auditor and treasurer. Last year, his position was eliminated through company restructuring.

After that restructuring, Splichal wasn't certain what his next move should be. He considered the possibility of working in another corporate office, but later a different idea appealed to him.

"I looked at my background and it lent itself well to the state auditor's position," he said.

Splichal, a Democrat, is vying for the North Dakota state auditor's position currently held by Republican Bob Peterson. Splichal's main concern running against Peterson is the fact Peterson is the incumbent and thus more well-known among state residents.

Splichal claims he has more experience and leadership capabilities than his opponent. He became a certified internal auditor in 1984, something Peterson has yet to achieve, he said. Splichal's experience includes 23 years of internal auditing,18 years of audit management and four years of risk management/finance experience. As far as positions in leadership, he's a past co-chair of energy industry audit committees, past member and chair of the North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office Audit Committee and past district representative and director for The Institute of Internal Auditors.

One of Splichal's concerns is Peterson's lack of involvement in the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee. Splichal said he looked back through the past eight years of minutes from the meetings and Peterson wasn't mentioned in them except for once, in October 2000.

Instead, members of Peterson's staff have presented issues and information regarding the state auditor's office, rather than Peterson himself, Splichal said.

When there's talks about changes in the auditing process, what the state should be auditing, when the state auditor has to ask for more money, when the state auditor's budget is presented, the state auditor should be the one before the committee, not a staff member, Splichal said.

"I think the state auditor should be personally involved. I think you should hear from the state auditor, that's what you hired him to do," he said. "When there's controversial issues, the state auditor should be right there, making sure they're presented fairly...I think it's what we've elected a state official to do."

Splichal considers his education an asset to the position of state auditor, as well as his experience and leadership capability. He earned a bachelor of arts from Dickinson State University and a master's degree in business administration from North Dakota State University. He's completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.

Splichal would like to debate his opponent, but said Peterson has refused to do so. Splichal is anxious to educate voters about himself and said the only way he can do that is through advertising and talking to people and the media. He'd also like to have a debate as a way to inform voters on where he stands on issues.

"He (Peterson) is the only state official who hasn't agreed to a public forum," Splichal said.

Splichal lives in Mandan with wife, Mary, and they have two children.