Nixon tabs Boone County treasurer as next auditor

Nicole Galloway will become Missouri's 38th auditor when she takes the oath of office during the week of April 27.

Gov. Jay Nixon introduced Galloway, 32, the current Boone County treasurer, as the next auditor Tuesday afternoon during a Capitol news conference.

She succeeds second-term Republican Tom Schweich, who died Feb. 26 of an apparent suicide, and Democrat John Watson, an interim office-holder appointed by Nixon after Schweich's death.

Nixon told reporters Galloway is "known for her professionalism, intelligence and integrity; is a tough, energetic and fair-minded auditor who will be an outstanding auditor for taxpayers."

Galloway said she will be guided by three core principles.

"First, you have my commitment that I will never forget who I am working for, and that's the hard-working taxpayers and citizens of Missouri, who I have a solemn obligation to serve," she said.

"Citizens deserve to see and understand how their state and local governments are functioning. I share Auditor Schweich's commitment to

providing an open and clear understanding of the work done by the office."

Finally, Galloway called independence and objectivity paramount. "On my watch, taxpayers will know that audits will be carried out without fear or favor, that government is held accountable at all levels, for the resources it uses and the citizens it serves," she said.

The Constitution gives the governor the power to appoint Galloway directly to the job - no Senate confirmation is required.

When the Democrat assumes the office in two weeks, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder again will be the only Republican holding statewide office, although the party holds large majorities in both the House and Senate.

Nixon said he didn't look at political party affiliation while considering someone to succeed Schweich, who won re-election with more than 73.3 percent of the statewide vote over Libertarian and Constitution party opponents - but no Democrat.

"It was a robust selection process as I went through a number of candidates," he said. "There's a lot of good folks out there, but I think Nicole brings an experience, energy level and integrity that are second-to-none."

Jonathan Prouty, the Missouri Republican Party's executive director, pointed out Missourians overwhelmingly elected a Republican to serve as "a counterweight to Gov. Jay Nixon.

"It is disappointing that Nixon has put politics ahead of the wishes of the voters by handpicking a member of his own party to fill the vacancy in the office," he said.

Prouty argued the auditor's job is to "serve as an advocate for the people of Missouri by casting a critical eye towards the governor's administration, but Nicole Galloway is entirely beholden to Jay Nixon."

Galloway disagreed.

"There is no doubt that I am independent," she said. "I have the professional experience - I am a CPA and a certified fraud examiner.

"I think Missourians want somebody who will hold government accountable for the resources that they use - and they don't care about party."

She will serve the remainder of Schweich's term, to January 2019, and said she'll run for the office in the 2018 elections.

"I wouldn't have accepted this position if this wasn't something that I was committed to," Galloway said. "I look forward to moving into this role."

She didn't promise to fire or keep the current office staff, which includes a number of career employees who've worked for several state auditors and some top staff appointed by Schweich.

"The very first thing (for me) to do is go in and do a full review," Galloway explained, "to review staff, how resources are being used."

She promised to start meeting with people even as she also is closing her work as Boone County's treasurer.

"In any transition, I think you can expect change," Galloway said, "but the bottom line is, I have the utmost respect for the staff and the work that they do."

Born in St. Louis and raised in St. Louis County, Galloway graduated from Ursuline Academy, then earned her bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and economics from the Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla. She holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Missouri's Crosby MBA Program.

She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Galloway and her husband, John, live in Columbia and have two sons.