Cournoyer emphasizes accountability and efficiency in bid for State Auditor

LECLAIRE— Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, a Republican from LeClaire, has announced her candidacy for Iowa State Auditor, outlining a platform centered on government accountability, fiscal responsibility and modernization of the auditor’s office.
Cournoyer, 55, currently serves as Iowa’s lieutenant governor and brings a background in technology, business and public service to the race. She previously served on the Pleasant Valley Community School Board and spent six years in the Iowa Senate representing Scott, Clinton and Jackson counties.
In launching her campaign, Cournoyer said her decision to run is rooted in a desire to restore what she describes as the core mission of the office.
“I’m running for State Auditor because Iowa deserves a true taxpayer watch dog - not a political activist, in this position,” Cournoyer said. “As Lt. Governor and a former school board member and State Senator, I’ve worked every day to make Iowa’s government leaner, smarter, and more accountable.”
She added that the auditor’s office should adopt new tools and approaches to improve oversight.
“The Auditor’s Office should lead by example implementing innovative technology like AI, working with local governments to find efficiencies, and giving citizens the transparency they deserve through enhanced promotion of Iowa’s transparency portal,” she said. “I will empower the employees in the Auditors off root out waste, fraud, and abuse and hold bad actors accountable.”
Cournoyer pointed to her professional background in computer science and the private sector as key qualifications. She worked as a consultant for Andersen Consulting, now Accenture, and later owned a small business focused on website design and development.
Her experience in public office, she said, has also prepared her for the role.
“I served on the Pleasant Valley Community School Board for two terms, lowering the levy by 41 cents as assessments went up and implemented technology effectively to make tax cuts sustainable,” she said. “I served in the Iowa Senate for 6 years… helping lead efforts to consolidate agencies, centralize IT systems, and modernize operations to run government more like a business - saving over $200 million and counting.”
Cournoyer also highlighted her role as chair of the Senate Technology Committee, where she worked on consumer data protection legislation.
Looking at the broader challenges facing Iowans, Cournoyer identified the cost of living as a top concern.
“The rising cost of living is challenging Iowans, and they need the money they earn to go farther,” she said. “The last thing they want to see is government wasting the tax dollars that they pay into the system.”
If elected, Cournoyer said her immediate focus would be on improving the functionality and efficiency of the auditor’s office.
“It starts with showing up and focusing on the job to ensure that the employees of the Auditors office have the leadership, tools, and resources they need to get audits and investigations done in a timely manner,” she said.
She also emphasized the role technology could play in strengthening oversight.
“We can use AI to usher the office into the next generation of financial auditing, improving efficiency, accuracy, and depth of analysis,” Cournoyer said. “But it’s important to remember that AI is a tool to empower auditors, not replace them.”
Cournoyer’s campaign also highlights economic development and support for rural communities as key priorities. As co-chair of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Task Force, she said she has worked to address challenges such as housing and childcare through targeted grants.
“Supporting rural communities is not just about helping small towns; it is about maintaining the structural integrity of Iowa’s entire economy and identity,” she said. “When rural communities thrive, they provide the food, energy, and workers that power the entire state.”
On education, Cournoyer drew from her personal and professional experience, noting her roles as a parent, substitute teacher and school board member.
“I know that education is the foundational layer for every other goal—from economic development to public health,” she said. “It turns a ‘workforce’ into an ‘innovation force.’”
She said her priorities include expanding access to high-quality education and preparing students for a changing economy.
“That educational experience should allow them to explore through hands-on learning and master the skills needed to compete in a global economy such as communication, teamwork, resiliency, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking,” she said.
Fiscal policy is another cornerstone of her campaign. Cournoyer emphasized her record on taxes and spending, both at the local and state levels.
“Tax dollars belong to the people, and I will ensure they are spent efficiently and effectively,” she said. “My record is clear on taxes and spending…I will always protect the Iowa taxpayer.”
Cournoyer also stressed the importance of collaboration, even across political divides.
“I’ve always prided myself on listening and working with people even when we come from different backgrounds, parties or belief systems,” she said.
As she campaigns across the state, Cournoyer said voters are focused on accountability and transparency in government.
“Iowans are telling me they want a State Auditor who serves everyone and prioritizes protecting taxpayer funds,” she said.
Cournoyer is seeking the Republican nomination in the upcoming primary and will face voters on June 2, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.
In making an appeal to voters, she pointed to her experience and endorsements from prominent Republican leaders.
“With the full endorsement of Governor Reynolds, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, State Treasurer Roby Smith, and dozens of Republican legislators, I am a proven winner with a history of delivering conservative results,” Cournoyer said. “I will bring the accountability and innovation Iowa taxpayers deserve.”
Cournoyer lives in LeClaire with her family. She is the daughter of Burt and Marilyn Gearhart and has four children: Bennett, Sydney, and twin sons Tanner and Chase, who are freshmen at the University of Iowa.