Join Us at the First Annual Celebration of Spring with State Auditor Suzanne Bump

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Anthony’s Pier 4 Restaurant
140 Northern Avenue, Boston

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Suzanne joined a crowd of nearly 1,000 on Beacon Hill today in support of Wisconsin Democrats and public workers across the nation. more »

Suzanne Bump, Massachusetts State Auditor-Elect, today announced her intention to seek applicants from across the country to fill the role of Deputy Auditor for Audit Operations. The Deputy will be a key part of the Auditor-Elect’s management team, overseeing and managing all aspects of the audit operations, with an emphasis on expanding the scope of performance audits to evaluate the success or failure of government operations.

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Suzanne Bump, Massachusetts State Auditor-Elect, today announced the formation of a Transition Team to assist in evaluating the existing priorities, structure and staffing in the Office of the State Auditor and to recommend changes that will enhance the performance of the Office, and enable it to be a catalyst to help make state government work better.

See a list of the whole team by clicking here.

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Dear friends,

Thank you.

After an extremely long day and nearly a year of campaigning we have finally made it to victory. We’ve shared some amazing achievements over the course of the year, but last night we won the prize. more »

The state auditor’s race is tight by all accounts, especially the account the Boston Globe provided in last Sunday’s poll. Suzanne Bump, the Democrat, led Mary Z. Connaughton, the Republican, by three points with a huge undecided vote. This means nobody, other than your humble servant, is paying any attention to this race.

Republican candidate for auditor Mary Z. Connaughton is trailed by a “donut fund” while she was a top financial manager at the state Lottery.

For the first time ever, a woman is guaranteed to hold statewide office. more »

…“I am seeking this office because I want to be a leader who fixes agencies that aren’t providing value for taxpayers,” said Bump, former state secretary of labor and workforce development….
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SUZANNE BUMP has served the commonwealth as legislator, private advocate, and cabinet secretary — in each case, acting with independence, integrity, and competence. She will do so again as the state’s auditor.

Although the word “auditor” may conjure a dry, numbers-crunching position, the office is much more than that. A strong moral compass, savvy political skills, and public leadership are all necessary parts of the job. Bump has them all, in spades, and will improve the efficiency and honesty of state government, regardless of which party is in power.

In addition, Bump has laid out an impressive plan for updating and refocusing the long-stagnant office. She understands the possibilities of the position, and its limitations. She deserves your vote.

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“The Bay State Banner endorses Suzanne Bump for auditor because she is the most likely candidate to assure that state funds are being honestly spent and that state programs perform as expected.”

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Today, Suzanne Bump, Democratic nominee for State Auditor, held four press conferences across the Commonwealth to address the disturbing response of her Republican opponent, Mary Connaughton, to the serious issues raised in a front page Boston Globe exposé Saturday, which examined the role Ms. Connaughton played as Chief Financial Officer of the State Lottery during a period noted for its lack of oversight, fiscal excesses, and massive mismanagement.

Citing two reports by the Office of State Auditor in the 1990′s, the Globe examined both the part Ms. Connaughton played in failing to curtail the abuses which surrounded the infamous “donut fund” scandal, as well as her direct participation in the subsequent cover-up of that scandal.

…Read the Boston Globe Exposé…

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Outside Quincy’s Donut King on Monday, Democratic candidate for state auditor Suzanne Bump spoke out against her Republican opponent Mary Z. Connaughton, touting her own record of challenging “the status quo” and enacting reform.

Eight days before the election, Bump launched her “Donut Fund Express” campaign tour—appearing outside the State House in Boston and donut shops in Quincy, Worcester and Springfield—to seize on a Saturday Boston Globe article that detailed Connaughton’s role in the 1997 “doughnut fund” state lottery scandal.
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FRAMINGHAM — State auditor candidates Suzanne Bump and Mary Connaughton disagree about several things, but one key difference is their views on what the qualifications are to hold the office.

In a debate at the Framingham Public Access Corporation’s studio, the candidates also disagreed on what the first priorities should be for the next state auditor.
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Auditors debate hosted by Framingham Public Access TV and MetroWest Daily News.

Watch Here

At a small gathering over lunch, the two major party candidates for state auditor made their pitch for support with personal stories that show their integrity. more »

Suzanne Bump’s campaign staff is antsy. It’s already an hour into the campaign event, a barbeque with Malden Democrats, and their candidate for state auditor is seriously lagging behind schedule. The most frequent inquiry she gets is: “What does the state auditor do, anyway?” This question takes some time to answer. Campaigning for auditor is half political pitch, and half civics lesson.

Bump has been explaining the auditor’s job to the same table for 10 minutes now. Her staffers keep shooting her looks, silently urging her to wrap it up and move on to the tables out back. Just as Bump breaks loose, the keyboard player launches into a spirited version of “The Wheels on the Bus.” A kindergartener has the microphone. The girl crumbles under pressure, forgets half the words, and just mumbles along to the music. Bump stands at attention, nodding along enthusiastically. When the song ends, she takes hold of the microphone and addresses the girl.

“You don’t have any idea what I’m doing here, do you?” she asks. “I’m a politician. I’m running for auditor. Do you know what the auditor does? The auditor makes sure government spends your money honestly. You don’t want your money stolen, do you? You want to get your money’s worth from state services. Does that sound good to you? Does that sound like a winning platform for state auditor? I do, too.”
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The two major-party candidates for state auditor took every opportunity to swipe at each other’s background and experience during an hour-long debate Monday night at Stonehill College.

Republican Mary Connaughton, of Framingham and Democrat Suzanne Bump of Great Barrington squared off in a heated one-hour session sponsored by WickedLocal.com and WCVB-TV.

The candidates offered opposing viewpoints of the role of the auditor’s office and qualifications of the person holding it. more »

The most exciting contest in Massachusetts is not the governor’s race; rather, it is the battle for the position of state auditor.

Amazingly, it has been 24 years since this office has had an open seat to be contested. The departing auditor, Joseph DeNucci, has been comfortably ensconced since 1987.

Citizens should welcome the chance to elect a new auditor, and to shine a light on the auditor’s position, which is a very important one — and potentially a very powerful one. more »

Democrat Suzanne Bump said yesterday that the state auditor’s number-one responsibility is to lead, a trait she hopes will set her apart from Republican Mary Z. Connaughton, her rival in November for the auditor’s post.

“There’s a world of difference between being a CPA (certified public accountant) and the state auditor,” Bump told The Sun’s editorial board. “It’s a leadership position that uses audits as tools to make positive changes inside state government.” more »

I am running for state auditor because I want to make government better. And you can count on me to do this, because when I have been a leader in government, I have saved you money and given you better services.

As a state representative and as a cabinet secretary, I have changed business as usual, demanded accountability and delivered the kind of results that we need from our next state auditor.

My opponent has pledged to use her CPA credential to teach the audit staff to do better audits. This is laudable, but it is not leadership. It won’t bring about reforms that make a difference in people’s lives. more »

Democratic candidate for auditor Suzanne Bump, accepting the endorsement of MassEquality Tuesday, hit her opponent, Republican Mary Connaughton, for signing a petition in 2005 calling for the question of gay marriage to be settled through a ballot question.

“I’m very grateful for MassEquality’s endorsement and their mission of equal civil rights has always been a major element of my own personal values,” Bump said in a statement. “My opponent, Mary Connaughton has chosen not to speak about her personal values, but as I see it, they have been clearly demonstrated through her actions. By signing anti-gay marriage petitions, Connaughton paints a fairly clear picture of her values.” more »

Republican Mary Connaughton said she would sever ties to former Gov. Mitt Romney’s political action committee if elected state auditor, pushing back against the suggestion by her Democratic opponent Suzanne Bump that her association with Romney contradicts her pledge not to accept political action committee or lobbyist donations.

Connaughton, a former Romney appointee to the Massachusetts Turnpike board, acknowledged getting paid by the Free & Strong America for the “very little” consulting work she has done and continues to do for Romney’s political action committee. She said that would stop if she won her race in November. more »

Says condominium not principal residence

Boston officials determined yesterday that Suzanne M. Bump, the Democratic candidate for state auditor, was not entitled to four years of tax breaks she received by reporting her South Boston condominium as her principal residence and accepted the $5,875.05 repayment she made Thursday after the discrepancy came to light.

The Globe had reported that day that Bump and her husband, Paul F. McDevitt, had been receiving residential tax breaks on homes in both Boston and Great Barrington by reporting each as their principal residence. more »

For Suzanne Bump, there’s no end to the state offices and programs that need a good audit. But if she’s elected, the Democratic auditor candidate and Whitman native says she will start with the health care management system.

“That’s where we can deliver the most fiscal value for the taxpayers,” she said Thursday during a Patriot Ledger editorial board interview.

The former Braintree state representative and former state labor secretary said a complicated, often overlapping array of health providers and administrative programs is costing the state “hundreds of millions of dollars,” and forcing those seeking coverage to navigate a confusing bureaucracy. more »

In theory, the state auditor’s job is to check the books of public agencies. In practice, the office can play a broader role as an in-house watchdog, promoting effective government by highlighting redundancy, giveaway contracts, and other forms of inefficiency. The retirement of longtime incumbent Joseph DeNucci has attracted a bumper crop of candidates who see new possibilities in the auditor’s position, and voters can take comfort in the spirited contests for both parties’ nominations. more »

In a field of three ambitious and energized candidates, we believe Suzanne Bump is the best choice for Democrats voting in the Sept. 14 primary for state auditor.

Bump has leadership experience that spans both the private and public sectors, both elected office and gubernatorial appointment. more »

State Auditor candidate Suzanne Bump said yesterday one of her first orders of business, if elected, will be to streamline the state’s health-care system. more »

State auditor candidate Suzanne Bump called for more oversight and accountability for state spending Thursday as she outlined her campaign platform before The Eagle editorial board. more »

In a race populated by self-proclaimed political outsiders, state auditor candidate Suzanne Bump has been targeted by some opponents as an insider of the field.

The Democrat, who served in Gov. Deval Patrick’s cabinet from 2007 to 2009, fights that characterization - “I don’t understand how someone who has been in the private sector as many years of her life as she has in the public sector … suddenly becomes the insider,” she said.

But Bump embraces her status as a candidate who understands the inner workings of government. Her goal of making it work better is one of the reasons she’s running for auditor, she said at an editorial meeting at the Daily News on Wednesday. more »

That Suzanne Bump - the Democratic candidate running to take over retiring state auditor Joe DeNucci’s seat - and her hubby, Paul McDevitt, were partying with the DeNucci clan at the annual 4th of July Celebration in Newton at Albemarle Park.

That Needham homey Eric Johnson, ex-tight end for the 49-ers, is dating country songstress Jessica Simpson . The pair reportedly began dating in May and a source told TMZ.com that the duo are “very happy.”

That Red Sox alum Luis Tiant, sports yakker Bob Lobel and Larry Johnson all are confirmed to attend this year’s Remdawg’s All-Star Party with the man himself at Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill near Fenway on July 13. more »

State Auditor Candidate Suzanne Bump campaigned in Wellesley on June 21, meeting approximately 25-30 town residents at the home of Linda Perlmutter on Seaver Street. Full Article here.

I had a moment of panic when the four of us who’d carpooled together entered the Worcester convention center. Dean sped off to get in line for credentials; Alice left to find the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) reception; I don’t know what happened to Robin. Full Article Here.

The news coverage coming out of the Democratic state convention in Worcester this weekend was that party members were renewed by rousing speeched by Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.

One interesting development: Suzanne Bump edged Guy Glodis to win a pluarilty of votes for the state auditor position. Also interesting was that Michael Lake, a little known former Clinton administration official, easily won a spot on the ballot for auditor along with Bump and Glodis.

I’m not sure what to make of that.

New Bedford Ward 2 Councilor Steve Martins, a Glodis supporter, said Lake was well-organized and had the best video of the candidates. more »

There’s a bunch of people running for State Auditor this year, and I think we should take a look. Full disclosure: I like Suzanne Bump. A lot. I dislike Guy Glodis. A lot. Full Article Here.

Just days before the state Democratic convention, New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang has endorsed Suzanne Bump for state auditor.

Bump, a former Braintree state rep and Labor secretary the first two years of the Patrick administration, is facing an uphill battle against Worcester Sheriff Guy Glodis in the auditor’s race. Also running in the Democratic primary is Michael E. Lake, a former White House official in the Bill Clinton administration.

Lang, a labor lawyer, would be expected to support Bump who has a long progressive record on labor issues. She was a moving force behind a reform of the state worker’s compensation law. more »

Who becomes the state’s next auditor may depend on whether Democrats meeting in convention this week believe that a leopard can change his stripes.

Ever since Scott Brown’s election this January, the Democrats have been seemingly terrified of offending any of his Tea Bag supporters, as if any would vote for a Democrat any way.

As The Boston Pheonix reported last week:

Despite a history of illiberal views and a boorish reputation, Guy Glodis enters the Democratic state convention unscathed. more »

Swampscott — State Auditor candidate Suzanne Bump recently met with local delegates to the upcoming Democratic State Convention and other members of the Swampscott and Marblehead Democratic Town Committees.

Speaking at the Swampscott home of John and Judy Moynihan, Bump explained that the auditor is an independent arm of state government ensuring that state funds are spent legally and that agencies collecting fees for the state have workable systems to make sure that these expenditures are accountable and in accordance with Massachusetts law.

Bump said that she would expand this traditional role by also conducting “performance audits.” more »

PITTSFIELD — As the race for the state auditor’s office begins to heat up, Great Barrington resident and former state Labor Secretary Suzanne Bump made a personal appeal to residents at a Berkshire County campaign stop on Monday.

“Our veteran auditor’s retirement… allows us to think about what we’re looking for from the auditor’s office in the 21st century,” Bump said. Talking about residents’ crisis of faith in government and the economy, she said that “the auditor gets to provide that level of oversight in terms of the financial accounting.”

The event at Zucchini’s Restaurant in Pittsfield drew more than a dozen people, including veteran politicians U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, and state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams. The primaries for the position will be held in September, with the final vote taking place in November. more »