Tony Strickland

A self-described fiscal conservative, the tall and boyish Strickland began his campaign for Controller by showing up at gas stations to rail against the sales tax on gasoline. Conservatives see this as a double tax, since consumers also pay a straight gasoline tax. As a state lawmaker, he resisted tax increases and spoke out against deficit spending. His wife, Audra Strickland, is an Assemblywoman — and a paid consultant to his campaign.