Who is Chris Harding, and why are we endorsing him for Salt Lake County Auditor?

“The Doers Network proudly supports Chris Harding for Salt Lake County Auditor. This highly technical role demands financial expertise, attention to detail, and a deep commitment to government accountability — qualifications Chris has demonstrated through his work in office. He is exactly the kind of capable, results-driven doer Salt Lake County needs stewarding taxpayer dollars.”

— Salt Lake County Regional Advisory Board · Meet the Board →

 

Why This Seat Matters

The Salt Lake County Auditor is one of the most consequential positions most voters never think about — until something goes wrong. The Auditor is responsible for ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent legally, efficiently, and without fraud or waste. That means conducting rigorous financial audits, holding county departments accountable, and maintaining the independence needed to call out problems regardless of who’s involved. With Salt Lake County’s population and budget continuing to grow, having a credentialed, experienced professional in this seat isn’t just good governance — it’s essential protection for every taxpayer in the county. The November 3, 2026 election will determine who holds that responsibility.

 

Meet Chris

Chris Harding has called Salt Lake County home for more than 24 years. He and his wife Candice are raising five children here, which means he has both personal and professional reasons to care about how county dollars are managed.

When Chris took office as County Auditor, the office had one credentialed auditor on staff. Today, nine of thirteen auditors hold professional credentials — CPA, CIA, or CFE designations that reflect serious training and rigorous standards. That’s not a cosmetic upgrade. It reflects a fundamental shift in how the office operates and what it’s capable of delivering for the public.

He didn’t stop there. Chris worked directly with the state legislature to mandate GAGAS auditing standards countywide and require that future auditors hold professional credentials — building reforms that outlast any single administration. He’s issued audits identifying real fraud, waste, and abuse. He led the office through its first-ever external peer review by the Association of Local Government Auditors and earned a passing rating. And he’s strengthened the independent audit committee to ensure findings are reported with full transparency and can’t be buried or dismissed.

 

What He’s Running On

Professionalizing the Office — Chris inherited an office that wasn’t operating at the standard Salt Lake County taxpayers deserve. He’s changed that by building a credentialed team, establishing professional standards, and working with the legislature to lock those standards into state law.

Independent Accountability — The auditor’s job is to hold county government accountable, which only works if the office itself is independent. Chris has strengthened the audit committee structure to ensure findings go where they need to go and can’t be ignored.

Innovation and Efficiency — Chris has brought modern tools into the office, including AI in audit processes, an Online Appeal Tracker for public transparency, and an online CRE renewal form to reduce friction for constituents.

Radical Transparency — Chris believes the public has a right to know how their tax dollars are being used and what the auditor’s office has found. That commitment is reflected in how the office operates, how findings are reported, and how he’s structured oversight to ensure accountability goes all the way up.

 

The Field

Chris Harding ran uncontested at the Salt Lake County convention, securing the Republican nomination. He will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Chris has spent his first term proving that this office can be a serious force for accountability — credentialed, independent, and genuinely effective. That track record is exactly why we’re proud to endorse him.

 

Get to Know Chris

Want to learn more? Visit Chris4Auditor.com or support his campaign on Venmo.

The DOERS Network endorses candidates through a rigorous local vetting process led by regional advisory boards made up of community leaders who know their counties best. Learn more about how endorsements work →