We’re talking to candidates for key downballot races on the WUNC Politics Podcast as part of our Down The Ballot series. Next up: The race for state auditor.

The office audits state agencies from the governor’s administration down to small town halls, ferreting out waste and misspent tax dollars. Republican Dave Boliek, an attorney and UNC-Chapel Hill trustee, is challenging Democrat Jessica Holmes, who was appointed to the role last year after the resignation of longtime auditor Beth Wood. WUNC spoke to both candidates about their differing views on diversity, equity and inclusion issues, the need to audit the DMV, and how to approach the work of state government's watchdog.

Sign up for our free, weekly WUNC Politics Newsletter here to read more from the Down The Ballot series.