Democratic state Auditor Diana DiZoglio has officially launched her 2026 reelection campaign as she continues her legal battle against legislative leaders in an effort to enforce an audit of the Legislature approved by 72% of voters in 2024.

“When I ran for State Auditor, I made a simple promise: to audit state government without fear or favor, and to always put the public interest first. Since taking office, my team and I have done exactly that—launching audits, demanding accountability, and standing up for taxpayers even when it hasn’t been easy,” DiZoglio said in a Tuesday morning email to supporters announcing her reelection bid.

“You’ve seen what we can do with a little sunlight. Our audits have identified challenges and made recommendations for improvements at agencies and entities like the Department of Children and Families, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers Homes, and more, all in an effort to help government work better for everyday people,” she said.

DiZoglio, who announced her bid for reelection in a Tuesday morning post to X, was first elected in 2022, replacing the departing former state Auditor Suzanne Bump.

DiZoglio after she was elected dove right into her push to conduct an audit of the state Legislature through lawsuits and ballot initiatives.

She seeks a second four-year term in the midst of her latest legal action against legislative leaders, specifically House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, announcing last week that she’s going to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to compel the Legislature to comply with the audit.

“The voters gave the Auditor a clear mandate to audit the Legislature, and I take that responsibility seriously. I have filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Judicial Court to enforce that law because oversight shouldn’t stop where power begins. Democracy only works when the people are at the table,” DiZoglio told her supporters.

The lawsuit also seeks permission to appoint outside counsel selected by the Auditor’s Office to Special Assistant Attorney General to represent them — something Attorney General Andrea Campbell says DiZoglio does not have the authority to do.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton, along with a group of Massachusetts residents, has filed a similar lawsuit under a century-old state law to “prevent the unlawful expenditure of public funds by the Massachusetts Legislature.”

DiZoglio has also seen public support from retired Massachusetts Trial Court Judge Carol Erskine, now working as a media consultant and contributor. Erskine posted a fiery message to social media in defense of DiZoglio, slamming former colleagues in the Trial and Appeals Courts for recently taking the position that state courts are not subject to audits — just as the state Legislature has done since the audit was approved by 72% of voters in the 2024 election.

DiZoglio’s legal efforts have also gained national media attention, with the state auditor appearing on Fox News’ “Saturday in America” program to discuss her recent lawsuit.

According to WBUR, MassGOP Executive Director Haley Jones says while the party does not have a declared candidate for state auditor, it is actively recruiting.

“I’m ready to keep up this fight as I launch my campaign for re-election. But I cannot do this alone. I need your help,” said DiZoglio. “If you believe in good government, real oversight, and an Auditor who answers to the people, not powerful insiders, please consider making a contribution today.”