Carole Keeton Strayhorn was the first woman in history elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. She was re-elected Comptroller in 2002 with the highest vote total of any winning statewide elected official in Texas and more votes than any woman candidate nationwide of either party. She is a common sense conservative, education watchdog, and “One Tough Grandma — watching out for Texas.”

Strayhorn began her career as a public school teacher. Her lifelong record of achievement and public service is rooted in her passion for education.

Often called a trailblazer, Strayhorn has a resume full of “firsts” — first woman president of the Austin School Board, and first woman president of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees; first woman mayor of Austin, and the only mayor elected for three successive terms; first woman in history elected Texas Railroad Commissioner — and was re-elected in 1996 with the highest vote total in a statewide contested race.