Zack Filipovich

Zack Filipovich earned a high school diploma from Duluth Central High School. He earned a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota at Duluth in 2012 and 2024, respectively. His career experience includes working as an accountant.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm the only accountant running to be state auditor. I hold an MBA, and I'm a Certified Management Accountant. I reside in Duluth, Minnesota, where I was born and raised. I was the youngest City Council member in Duluth's history and later became the youngest Council President. Today, I work as a finance manager for a nonprofit. I'm also the only candidate in this race who has worked in a municipal finance office.

During eight years on the Duluth City Council, I chaired the Finance Committee and served on the Public Utilities Board. I worked with business, labor, residents, and community organizations to solve problems and make difficult decisions about how our community uses public resources.

That experience is why I'm running for State Auditor. The office oversees more than $56 billion in local government financial activity, and I understand how important strong financial systems, internal controls, and accountability are to protecting taxpayer dollars.

I'm running to make the Auditor's Office a stronger resource for communities across Minnesota and to make sure local governments have the tools, expertise, and support they need to manage public money well.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have the right experience for the job. The State Auditor needs to understand accounting, local government, and how public dollars are managed. I’m a Certified Management Accountant with a degree in accounting and an MBA, a former Duluth City Council President, and the only candidate in the race who has worked in a municipal finance office. I’ve managed budgets, worked on compliance and internal controls, and seen firsthand the challenges local governments face.I will protect taxpayer dollars. Minnesotans deserve confidence that their local tax dollars are being used as intended. I’m running to strengthen oversight and internal controls that help prevent fraud, accounting errors, and misuse of public funds. The Auditor’s Office should not just identify problems after they happen. It should also be a resource that helps local governments strengthen their systems and prevent problems in the first place.I will address the local government finance workforce shortage. Minnesota is facing a growing shortage of experienced finance professionals, especially in Greater Minnesota. That creates a real risk for local governments trying to manage public dollars, maintain strong internal controls, and prevent fraud and accounting errors. As an accountant who has worked in local government finance, I understand the challenge. I’ll help communities share financial resources, use technology more effectively, and build the workplace capacity they need to protect taxpayer dollars.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about responsible local government and making sure communities have the resources they need to manage public money well. That includes strong financial oversight and internal controls, but also addressing the growing shortage of experienced finance professionals, particularly in Greater Minnesota.

As an accountant, I see this as both a workforce issue and an accountability issue. If communities don’t have enough people with the expertise to manage their finances, it becomes harder to prevent errors, identify fraud, and deliver essential services. I’m interested in practical solutions, including resource sharing, technology, and stronger workforce pipelines.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I'm DFL endorsed. I've been endorsed by the current State Auditor Julie Blaha, and the former State Auditor Rebecca Otto. I've been endorsed by MAPE, AFL-CIO, and AFSCME 65.

Note: Filipovich submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on September 15, 2026.

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January 11 submission

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Oversight & AccountabilityStrengthening Our Local CommunitiesCommunicating & Building Trust

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Zack Filipovich brings over a decade of accounting and financial expertise, 8 years as Duluth City Councilor, and a proven track record of fiscal responsibility to serve as Minnesota's next State Auditor.