South County Supervisor Patricia Bates Endorses Eric Woolery for OC Auditor-Controller

Bates Says Woolery is an Advocate for the Taxpayer and is the Right Candidate for the Job

May 8, 2014

Orange County's Fifth District Supervisor Patricia Bates formally announced her endorsement of Eric Woolery candidate for Orange County Auditor/Controller. Bates, who was the first mayor of Laguna Niguel, and later served in the State Assembly, is currently completing eight years as Supervisor for Orange County's Fifth District.

Bates joins a long list of prominent elected officials and organizations endorsing Woolery including the OC Taxpayers Association, U.S. Representative Darryl Issa, Laguna Niguel Mayor Linda Lindholm, Aliso Viejo Council Member Mike Munzing, Lake Forest Council Member Scott Voights, Mission Viejo Council Member Frank Ury, San Clemente Council Member Lori Donchak and many others.

"I have known Eric for a long time and believe he will be a true advocate for the taxpayer," said Bates. "As Auditor/Controller, he will provide independent oversight of all county departments to make sure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely. He will also be a valuable independent advisor to the Board of Supervisors, to ensure transparency and accountability. Most important, he has the skill and expertise to anticipate and plan for political and economic change. In this economy, we need more than a bookkeeper; we need an independent leader in the Auditor/Controllers office. I believe Eric Woolery is the right candidate for the job."

Eric Woolery is a CPA and successful owner/manager of a large accounting firm and currently the top administrative and financial head of a large public agency overseeing more than 700 employees and a department budget of $108 million.

He is the only candidate for Auditor/Controller with direct experience in both the private and public sector. He is committed to providing Orange County taxpayers with the independent oversight required to make government open and accountable to the people.

He has lived in Orange County most of his life and attended Lutheran High School of Orange County and Cal State Fullerton. He and his wife Lisa have two children and reside in Orange.