ST. PAUL — Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto is ready to announce whether she’ll try for another four years.

Otto, a Democrat, said she would reveal her decision today. She’s currently in her second term.

Meanwhile, former Long Lake Mayor Randy Gilbert was kicking off his campaign for the office today. Gilbert is making his second try for the Republican nomination after competing for it unsuccessfully in 2010.

The auditor’s main role is to keep tabs on local government financial activity and investigate when there are problems. It has been a political stepping stone, too, with past auditors eventually running for governor.