Friday's Internet Edition, May 09, 2008.
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After a failed attempt at the position in 2000, the Sampson County native ran again in 2004 and won against the three-term state auditor. Just like his previous elections, Merritt is campaigning as, “The Taxpayer’s Watchdog.”
“I’ve done what I said I would do when I campaigned and more,” he said. “We have proved that we can be ‘The Taxpayer’s Watchdog’ and we can make a difference with this office.”
As the first state auditor to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Merritt has reduced a backlog of investigative audits by 76 percent, reduced the processing time for non-profit reports and increased the emphasis on performance audits.
“I think that we have made some real headway,” said Merritt, who resides in Zebulon. “I ran for the job and felt like it is one of the key jobs in the state. I put it next to the governor and his cabinet.”
Looking over every department in the state, Merritt said he is non-partisan when keeping close tabs on employees. Having experienced the problems of serving as state auditor, he wants to finish some of the work he started.
“I think internally and externally we are building a lot of relationships and done a lot of good,” he said. “To have some good impact, you have to do it in a diplomatic way. At the same time you can’t get scared politically wherever you need to go and [audit].”
Contrary to the belief of many, the state auditor’s office doesn’t audit tax returns. Merritt said that is often a myth among residents.
“I am on the taxpayer’s side,” he said. “We are making sure the government is effective and there is no abuse.”
Merritt is running against Democratic challengers, Beth Wood and Fred Aikens. Wood is a former employee of the state auditor’s office and Aikens is a retired Army colonel in the N. C. National Guard. The two Democrats will face off in a May 6 primary. Merritt has clear sailing to November’s election as he is uncontested for his party’s nomination.
Despite the credentials of his opposition, Merritt contends he is the man for the job.
“You need someone to be there that is dedicated to the job and not just there for the political realm,” Merritt said. “I like doing my job and what it can mean for the taxpayers.”
Merritt graduated from Union High School in 1970. He then enrolled at N.C. State University, where he went on to earn degrees in economics and accounting.
Him and his wife Cheryl have two children, Brooke and Dale.
Prior to being elected in 2004, he owned a privately held auditing and accounting firm for more than 20 years. He was elected a Wake County Commissioner in 1994.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.