Carole Keeton Strayhorn

One of Carole Keeton Strayhorn's closest political advisors said she is making all the right moves and heads into the Austin mayor's race with an advantage over her competitors.  Mark Sanders served as a top Strayhorn advisor during her tenure as comptroller and her 2006 run for governor.

Sanders sees Strayhorn "playing an A ball game" so far. He said his old boss, whom he called a "dear, dear friend," told him about five months ago she might run for Austin mayor. Although Strayhorn didn't solicit Sanders' advice, she mentioned that people were approaching her for a possible run.  He said she was "flattered" by the encouragement.

"She's certainly got the energy for it. She's always held a special place for what's best for Austin, and at this point in her career it's certainly not... a stepping stone," he said.

A veteran political consultant who advised Carole Keeton Strayhorn on her first mayoral bid called her steps toward a return to office "sad."

Peck Young, a longtime Democratic strategist, worked on Austin mayoral races for more than two decades, including Strayhorn's history-making election as Austin's first female mayor in 1977.

Strayhorn filed paper work as a candidate for Austin mayor Wednesday, and Young said her moves brought to mind another former mayor, Jeff Friedman, who attempted a comeback.  

"It didn't work, and I don't think this is gonna work. This isn't the 70's," Young said.