Mayor Awada to announce candidacy for state auditor Posted 10/12/01 by Erin Johnson Staff Writer Mayor Pat Awada is expected to announce that she will run for state auditor Wednesday, Oct. 17 at a fund-raiser for her candidacy. Awada said she will seek the endorsement of the Republican Party, but will abide by the partyís decision if she is not endorsed. ìI think it is likely I will get the endorsement,î she said. If, however, she does not receive the partyís endorsement, Awada said she will seek re-election as mayor of Eagan. Awada said she believes her skills and experience make her a good candidate for the position. ìThe duties of the state auditor are to make sure local units of government are managing their finances correctly,î she said. ìI have a lot of experience with that. It seemed like a natural fit for me.î Awada said she began seriously thinking of pursuing the position back in January. She said she had previously considered running for U.S. Congress, but that this position will work better for her at this point. ìThereís a large group of people in the Sixth District who are pushing me to run for Congress against Bill Luther,î she said. ìBut I want to stay in Minnesota right now. I have four children. I donít want to uproot my family.î Awada said she is more inclined to pursue an executive position rather than legislative office at this point because her personality and skills are better suited for an executive environment. ìItís a very logical move for me to make,î she said. ìI think I would serve the citizens of Minnesota well.î Awada said her fellow City Council members were hoping that she would seek re-election as mayor, but they have been supportive of her decision. ìMy whole council has expressed that they wish I would run again,î she said. ìBut I think they have accepted this because Iíve been discussing this with them for months.î City Council Member Cyndee Fields said she has mixed feelings about Awadaís decision. ìIím excited for her. I know sheíd be a great auditor, but Iím disappointed sheís leaving the city of Eagan,î Fields said. ìBut I think sheíll be great for the state of Minnesota.î Council Member Peggy Carlson said simply, ìItís her decision. Best of luck to her.î Awada said she feels sheís leaving the city in good hands with the current City Council. ìI feel like Eagan is really on a good, positive path,î she said. ìI have a lot of faith in the current council members.î In addition, she said, there are a lot of people in the community who have the skill set and the ability to serve as mayor of this community. ©Thisweek Newspapers