A Democrat’s appeal for support in the traditionally partisan election of Maine’s constitutional officers has Republicans grousing.

Fueling the controversy that erupted during Tuesday’s balloting for state auditor is a letter sent by the office’s ultimate winner, Neria Douglass, a former Auburn senator.

Douglass closed her letter asking for the support of Democratic senators and representatives by saying, “Together we will work for a more efficient state government and protect the programs most important to Democrats and the people of Maine.”

Then she added that she “will work to ensure Democratic majorities in the future.”

“That’s no different than President Bush working to help elect Republicans,” Douglass maintained.

But Senate Minority Leader Paul Davis on Wednesday called the letter “quite inappropriate.”

“Does that mean she’s not going to work with the Republicans?” he asked. “It sounds like (the auditor’s office) will be pretty biased.”

Outgoing Auditor Gail Chase also called that portion of Douglass’s letter “inappropriate,” but saw nothing sinister with it.

“It’s unfortunate, but I believe she just wasn’t clear enough” in explaining her candidacy as well as her hopes for the office if successful.

Davis also called another section of the letter troubling.

“I believe the State Auditor should be a fixture on the third floor of the Capitol building, working hand in hand with the democratic majorities in the legislature,” Douglass wrote.

“It certainly doesn’t sound like she intends to be independent to me,” said the Sangerville Republican.

“I don’t think that’s the role of the auditor,” he added.

“It’s sour grapes,” responded Douglass.

Candidates for auditor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer are nominated by the Legislature’s Democrats and Republicans. Once a winner is sworn, the person – in the auditor’s case, Douglass – serves as an independent constitutional officer.

That doesn’t mean forfeiting “my First Amendment rights,” Douglass said. “I can be an independent auditor and still support Democrats as a private citizen. I’m a proud pro-business Democrat,” she said.

She said she wants to elevate the public status of the office by being in contact with members of the House and Senate from both parties, hence her reference to the Capitol’s third floor.

“Don’t the Republicans want to know when there might be some money found that can go to help fund the state’s programs, or eliminate federal fines for misspending program funds?” she asked.

Dick Foote, the deputy auditor and certified public accountant who drew the GOP nomination to oppose Douglass only to lose by a single vote with some Republicans having left the chambers, stayed above the fray.

He politely declined to comment on the letter.

He did, however, stand by an earlier statement saying that if Douglass won the job that he looked forward to working with her.

Foote also said he saw no problem with Douglass’ plans to work as an intern in the state Controller’s Office to gain expertise in financial issues. He said he couldn’t see where it might affect her independence, even though the Audit Department is charged with auditing the Controller’s Office, among others.

While Douglass is a lawyer, she doesn’t have the credentials required by the state to serve as auditor beyond six months. She says she’ll gain that certification before the time elapses, in part by learning in the Controller’s Office.

Foote said others in the Department of Audit have worked in the state’s various finance offices. Now-retired Auditor Rod Scribner, he said, held myriad finance positions with audit, the Controller’s Office and elsewhere in state government.

None of that alleviated Davis’ concerns about Douglass’ impartiality.

Yet the minority leader acknowledged, “There’s nothing I can do. She’s been elected. She’s free to run the audit department.”

Davis said he’ll watch the department under Douglass’ rule as the legislative session progresses. “Nothing has happened” as of now, he noted. But if something appears amiss, he promised to call it to the people’s attention.

Douglass said he and other Republicans are “deliberately misconstruing” the situation.

“This is like dirty tricks at the end of a campaign,” she said.