Candidates spar for Pa. auditor top spot

The Pennsylvania Republican State Committee has heard from the party’s candidates for statewide office, and the barbs flew at a forum for candidates vying for the state’s top auditor slot.Allegheny County state Representative John Maher, who got the state party’s endorsement, says it’s time the Office of Auditor General is headed by an experienced auditor.
“I am a CPA. Certified Public Accountant. I’m an auditor. I love to audit,” said Maher. His primary opponent, Frank Pinto, a registered lobbyist for community bankers, says he may not have Maher’s experience–but he doesn’t have his political baggage, either.”I haven’t voted for a pay raise, I haven’t done a pension grab. I’m not running for two offices at the same time,” said Pinto. Maher says he never accepted a dime of his raise, and only voted for it in 2005 because he thought judges should get a pay bump. He says voters in his district have encouraged him to run for both offices simultaneously.