MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Democrat Rebecca Otto has won a third term as state auditor, beating Republican challenger Randy Gilbert.

The state auditor serves mainly as a watchdog over local government finances.

Last year as a member of Minnesota's Executive Council, Otto voted against approving some copper-nickel prospecting leases in the Iron Range. She said she wanted financial assurances that taxpayers wouldn't be stuck with the cleanup costs.

The move angered mining supporters and "dump Otto" signs began appearing in northeastern Minnesota, but it appeared not to affect her race.

Gilbert, a former mayor of Long Lake, highlighted his background as an auditor in the private sector, and campaigned in strong support of mining.

Otto is a former state representative from the Stillwater area and president of the National State Auditors Association.

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