Mary Z. Connaughton is the only candidate in the state auditor's race who actually is an auditor.
The Framingham resident, who is running against Lowell's Kamal Jain in the Republican primary for the position being vacated by Joe DeNucci, is a CPA and member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.
But more than her professional credentials, it was her outspokenness while serving as a member of the board of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority from 2005 to 2009 that impresses. Her service ended when the board was folded into a new state Department of Transportation.
Connaughton promises to bring a fresh burst of energy and greater transparency to an agency that could use both after 24 years under the same person.


