2008 Woodie Awards
Carole Keeton Strayhorn:
'One Tough Grandma' runs on independent ticket
Crystal Williams
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
|
Strayhorn serves as Texas comptroller, an office that functions much like state treasurer. Texans abolished the state treasurer position in 1996.
If elected, Strayhorn would be the first independent governor of Texas since Sam Houston in 1859.
Strayhorn is notable as a woman of many firsts. She was the first female mayor of Austin when she was elected in 1977. She served until 1983.
She also was the first mayor of Austin to be elected to three consecutive terms and the first woman to serve as president of the Austin school board and the Austin Community College board.
Strayhorn serves as comptroller as a Republican, but she is running for governor as an independent. She said her decision to run as an independent was in the interest of the people of Texas.
"Texas is a great state, but it can be stronger, safer and better with responsible leadership in Austin," Strayhorn said on her campaign Web site.
"It's time to set aside partisan politics and do what's right for Texas.
"It's time for a governor who will bring people together to solve problems and get things done. It's time to put Texas first, not special interests."
Strayhorn's main issues are education, a responsible government and security and safety of state citizens.
She thinks Texans aren't getting what they need in those areas from Perry, whom she refers to on her Web site as "a weak-leadin', ethics-ignorin', pointin'-the-finger-at-everyone-blamin', special-session-callin', public-school-slashin', slush-fund-spendin', toll-road-buildin', special-interest-panderin', rainy-day fund-raidin', fee -increasin', no-property-tax-cuttin'-promise-breakin', do-nothin', phony conservative."
Education is No. 1 in Strayhorn's campaign. Like many, she is a critic of the TAKS test and the practice of "teaching to the test."
She wants an immediate $4,000 increase in teachers' salaries, which are $6,000 below the national average.
She also wishes to bring back Texas School Performance Reviews and provide more funding for schools.
Her Texas Next Step plan would allow every high school graduate to attend two years of community college free, including books and miscellaneous fees.
Texas dropouts are more likely to be imprisoned by 7.8 percent more than their diploma-bearing counterparts.
"I'm a common sense conservative," Strayhorn said. "I'd rather spend $2,500 a year educating a young Texan than $16,000 a year incarcerating that young Texan."
Strayhorn also vehemently opposes illegal immigration and has said she will deploy as many National Guard troops as necessary.
Strayhorn has plans to improve children's health care, the foster care system, pollution and use of Texas's clean air resources.
She favors harsher sentencing for sexual predators and pedophiles.
"In a Strayhorn administration we will put into law mandatory life sentences without parole for first-time violent sexual offenders," she said.
Strayhorn has been married three times, currently to her high school sweetheart, Ed Strayhorn. She has four children, and all of them are politically involved.
Be the first to comment on this story