The Great SOS Debate - Max Engling

So how do you think you did?

I think we did well.

I think we pointed at the issues.

I think we are the campaign that is saying, "What are your priorities for this office?" And I think that's important to know that we're not talking about, uh, the taxes, we're not talking about electric rates, we're talking about priorities like election integrity, transparency in the office, and business filing fraud.

Why do you believe that the, uh, investigator-- or excuse me, the inspector general will be sufficient to look into the issues with the current secretary of state? Why not call for an independent audit or possibly even a criminal probe as some of your, uh, opponents have done? And also, if you do uncover cur-- evidence of criminal wrongdoing, would you escalate to a criminal probe?

So that is the IG's job.

They're independent, and their job is to look through the office and see if there are issues and then, uh, resolve those issues.

We would certainly work with them.

I said that on the debate stage.

I say that now.

Uh, I think it's important to know that if you're doing an independent audit, it has to be paid for by someone.

Uh, that would be either Beau or Ballard or Lori.

So whoever's paying for that audit, I think you'd have to look back and say, "What are they expecting out of that audit?" And, uh, if you're paying for it, is it really independent? I would say we're looking at an independent inspector general.

They would conduct an audit, and then they would say, "What are the issues?" And it's up to them to make the referral, uh, as is their job.

So how do you think you did?

I think we did well.

I think we pointed at the issues.

I think we are the campaign that is saying, "What are your priorities for this office?" And I think that's important to know that we're not talking about, uh, the taxes, we're not talking about electric rates, we're talking about priorities like election integrity, transparency in the office, and business filing fraud.

Why do you believe that the, uh, investigator-- or excuse me, the inspector general will be sufficient to look into the issues with the current secretary of state? Why not call for an independent audit or possibly even a criminal probe as some of your, uh, opponents have done? And also, if you do uncover cur-- evidence of criminal wrongdoing, would you escalate to a criminal probe?

So that is the IG's job.

They're independent, and their job is to look through the office and see if there are issues and then, uh, resolve those issues.

We would certainly work with them.

I said that on the debate stage.

I say that now.

Uh, I think it's important to know that if you're doing an independent audit, it has to be paid for by someone.

Uh, that would be either Beau or Ballard or Lori.

So whoever's paying for that audit, I think you'd have to look back and say, "What are they expecting out of that audit?" And, uh, if you're paying for it, is it really independent? I would say we're looking at an independent inspector general.

They would conduct an audit, and then they would say, "What are the issues?" And it's up to them to make the referral, uh, as is their job.