STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS. ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT.

Experienced leader and former prosecutor Susan Strawn is running for San Antonio City Council District 1 to bring accountability, smart growth, and real solutions to our community.

A Prosecutor Who Took on Waste and Fraud—Now Fighting for You

As a federal prosecutor for 26 years, I’ve taken on waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs, contracts, and procurement, helping ensure that taxpayers get what they were promised and paid for. Most recently, I served as the National Coordinator for civil fraud enforcement and healthcare fraud, providing oversight of a $125 million program supporting prosecutors nationwide in countering fraud in government programs, procurement and contracts. The program, working with other DOJ offices, returned over $2.9 billion to the government in 2024. I managed policy, budget, legislation, data analytics and forensic accountant contracts, programmatic audit response, and national enforcement initiatives. I served on the multi-agency national Task Forces for Covid Fraud Enforcement and Opioid Civil Litigation, chairing several committees.

As a longtime resident of River Road, I’ve served twice on the neighborhood board, including as vice-chair, and continue my work on the Brackenridge Park Stakeholders Committee, working to protect one of San Antonio’s most cherished green spaces.

I earned my law degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with high honors from Princeton University with a degree in history. My career has always been rooted in public service, accountability, and problem-solving—and I’m ready to bring that same commitment to City Hall.

MY PROMISES

LISTEN & RESTORE TRUST

Local government shouldn’t operate in secrecy. Too often, decisions are happening behind closed doors. I understand that D1's strong neighborhoods and neighborhood leaders have experience, expertise and historical knowledge that is invaluable to decision-making processes. I will work hard to provide timely information to residents about upcoming projects, and solicit meaningful input before sometimes millions is spent in planning. I will solicit representation from neighborhoods for boards and commissions dealing with neighborhood issues, so that appointees can provide direct input and feedback.

PUSH FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Bonds, venue tax, TIRZ –– we hear a lot about the City's web of revenue sources to fund projects. Too often, City leaders muddy the waters and claim that taxpayers are not paying the bill. I understand that money is fungible, and there's no free lunch. Spending must be subject to real cost/benefit analysis, always asking not just whether we can fund a project, but what better uses could these funds support?

That’s why accountability in project management is critical. Despite significant spending, results are lacking. Endless projects lead to too many shuttered businesses, while streetscapes and parks remain unfinished, missing the promised improvements. We can do better. I’ll push for an external audit to improve planning, contracting, and oversight to ensure that our spending delivers as promised.

MY VISION

District 1’s legacy neighborhoods make San Antonio unique. With diverse housing, historic parks, and small business districts near downtown, they’ve stood the test of time. But with growth ahead, we must stabilize and enhance them, keeping generations rooted while welcoming new families and workers.

This is what we're striving for.