Incumbent State Auditor Dave Ferrari, a Republican, opted against seeking a third term. Max Maxfield, the former director of the state department of commerce, and Bob Grieve, the President of the State Senate, ran in the Republican primary to succeed him. Grieve entered the race as the heavy frontrunner, and significantly outraised and outspent Maxfield. However, Maxfield found success in attacking Grieve over the conflict of interest he would face as State Auditor in sitting on the State Land Board while holding state leases. Grieve denied that he directly held any state leases, but instead held stock in companies that themselves held leases. In the end, Maxfield narrowly defeated Grieve, winning 52% of the vote to Grieve's 48%, perhaps in large part due to his ability to weaponize Grieve's financial holdings.
