Saying a run for governor would put his work as watchdog of Iowa’s finances in danger, state Auditor David Vaudt said today he will not seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination next year.

State Auditor David Vaudt

State Auditor David Vaudt

Vaudt said the state’s budget is in deep trouble and Iowa needs to reverse course.

“I truly believe this is not going to happen unless Iowans have a clear picture of what’s really happening with our finances,” he said. “I know that if I were to run for governor, there would be some that would try to discredit important financial information that I’m providing to Iowans. They would do that by simply questioning the motives, since I would be running for governor.”

The last thing he wants to do, Vaudt said, is diminish his ability to keep Iowans informed about what’s happening with state finances.

“I’m flattered that Iowans would come forward and encourage me to run, and I have seriously considered that over the last several months,” he said, later adding: “But I will not be a candidate for governor in 2010.”

Vaudt has been highly critical of the budgets put together by Democratic legislators. He said at a press conference today that the fiscal 2010 budget plan passed last month relies too heavily on one-time money to fund ongoing expenses and could result in a big gap in 2011.

Sioux City businessman and two-time gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats remains the only candidate to publically declare his intentions to challenge Democratic Gov. Chet Culver next year.

Vaudt did say he will stand for reelection to a third term as auditor.