Questions…

I’m Stephanie Powell, a native Texan born in Houston, the youngest of six kids—I’m a widow, mother, GiGi, and the world’s best auntie, if you ask. I’m a retired Air Force veteran with another decade in the same field, totaling over 30 years serving others. I joined the USAF to “run away from home,” landing in San Antonio—my first duty station for 12 years. I retired in 2013 and returned with my late husband Ronald, a retired USAF MSgt, to this East Side I love—District 2’s ~135,000-strong home. I worked in Personnel as enlisted, then Program Management as an officer. Part-time, I drove river tour boats, worked retail at Auto Trader, QVC, Stein Mart, and hotels here. I studied at St. Phillips and Palo Alto Community Colleges, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s from Wayland Baptist University San Antonio. Outside work, I help seniors with Social Security, VA, and housing benefits—now, I’m running to serve District 2, making it thrive for our grandkids.

I’ve never run for public office—this is my first go—but I’m no stranger to leadership. I’ve served as Senior Vice in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Service Officer in the American Legion, roles where I’ve led with honor and integrity—skills I’ll bring to District 2’s East Side. My 30+ years in the Air Force, handling personnel and program management, gave me budget and contract expertise—overseeing funds, cutting waste, serving others. I’ve been active in my neighborhood association, pushing for our ~135,000 voices. Now, I’m compelled to take that service to the next level—our ~$35,000-income families deserve a council member who listens and acts, not just sits.

My campaign’s got three pillars for District 2: infrastructure, housing, budget. Our East Side roads—like Walters—languish under construction too long; I’ll prioritize repairs, not “Entertainment Centers”—Port San Antonio’s enough. Housing’s urgent—our ~$35,000-income seniors, workers, and vets get displaced; I’ll work with agencies for affordable homes, safe spots for homeless teens. Budget’s my fight—cut failing programs, shift cash to streets and safety, not pet projects. I’ve told voters we won’t throw good money after bad—our ~135,000 East Siders need common-sense funding to thrive, not tax hikes strangling us.

I’m Stephanie Powell—I don’t need this job; I want it. I’m self-funding, promoting alone—no debts but to District 2’s ~135,000 East Siders who elect me. Other candidates might lean on PACs; I owe only you—our ~$35,000 families. My 30+ years in the Air Force taught me service—I climbed from Houston roots to success, and I’ll lift every East Sider with me. I’ve told folks I’ll include all, even those I disagree with, for transparent decisions—service is my core, not spotlight-chasing.

I’ll hear you through town halls across the East Side—Denver Heights, St. Paul Square—face-to-face, no barriers. Emails to my office will hit me direct—I’ve told voters I’ll be their voice, not a lone ranger. Our ~135,000 East Siders, from ~60% Hispanic to ~25% Black roots, deserve input on roads, homes, safety—I’ll share City Council debates early, listen before I vote, and act for our ~$35,000-income families. Your say shapes District 2’s path—I’m all ears.

I’m fired up about budget control—our East Side’s ~$35,000 families can’t afford waste. I’ve told voters we need to prioritize citizens over pet projects, using state and federal funds smartly. Our resources are stretched—$100 against $1,000 in bills—and bonds pile up. Without common sense, we’re broke—I’ll cut fat, fund streets, housing, not frills. District 2’s ~135,000 deserve a council that cares—my Air Force budget years taught me to wield that scalpel for you.

District 2 City Council reps our East Side’s soul—long-time residents, vets, artists at Carver Center, history from African American to German roots. I’ve told voters it’s special—touching other districts, small cities like Alamo Heights—we can unite San Antonio’s story. Our ~135,000 carry talents; I’ll lift them—our museums, our voices, make District 2 a Texas gem worth shouting about, not just another seat.

My parents, Calvin and Margaret Coleman, showed me grit—unconventional paths to success. President Lincoln and W.E.B. DuBois taught me service through struggle—I’ve told voters I take their fight. Prince, the musician, showed flair in chaos—I jumped off cliffs like them, soaring to serve District 2’s East Side. Our ~135,000 need that mix—heart and hustle—to thrive.

“Politics for Dummies” keeps it real—simple service for District 2’s East Side. Then “The President and The Slave”—Lincoln and DuBois—shows finding common ground in chaos. I’ve told voters it’s not online; it’s my battered copy—our ~135,000 need leaders who bridge, not divide, serving every ~$35,000 family with clarity and grit.

Ethics and transparency—I’ve told voters I’ll deal straight with everyone, no backroom games. I’m solo now, taking heat for slow replies, but I own it—our ~135,000 East Siders get truth. My team will too—serving District 2’s ~$35,000 families means open books, honest calls, no fluff—I’ll live that every day.

I’m Stephanie Powell, born and raised in Houston—I joined the US Air Force, served in San Antonio for 12 years until commissioned in 2000, and retired in 2013 to live here full-time with my husband. I’m a current civil service employee—over 30 years tackling budgets and contracts. I’ve got a Bachelor’s and Master’s from Wayland Baptist SA. My work’s about facts—leaving my views out, hearing District 2’s ~135,000 East Siders first. Our ~$35,000-income families need decisions that stick—I’ll govern with your voice, not mine, using my career to serve you right.

The only elected offices I’ve held are with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion—Senior Vice and Service Officer roles where I served with honor. I’ve never run for public office before—this is my time to step up beyond military and vet groups. I’ve told voters my goal is next-level service—our East Side’s ~135,000 deserve the integrity I’ve lived. District 2’s ~$35,000-income families need that now—I’ll bring it to the council with grit and heart.

San Antonio Fire Department’s stretched—personnel, stations, pay lag while police and projects crowd the budget. I’ve told SAFD I’ll dig in—line-by-line with leadership, sorting Critical, Required, Need buckets. Our ~135,000 East Siders need fire safety—I’ll work with SAFD, the Union, and COSA to hit critical first—stations, hires—cutting waste elsewhere. It won’t be pretty, but I’ll craft a plan with council to fund our ~$35,000 families’ safety—taking care of firefighters is step one. If I can’t, I fail SAFD and you—I won’t let that happen.

Safety’s number one—I’ve told SAFD I haven’t studied collective bargaining since my Master’s in Public Administration from Wayland Baptist SA, but I’m diving in now. Our ~135,000 East Siders rely on firefighters—my nephew’s one; I know the sacrifice, training, and risk for strangers. I’ll get sharp on this pre-election, sit with you, and fight for fair deals—your lives and families matter to me. District 2’s ~$35,000 need me informed—I’ll learn fast, negotiate right, and serve with your trust.

My role’s clear—I represent District 2’s ~135,000 East Siders first, above all. I’ve told voters I’m not taking PAC or group funds—my decisions hinge on you, not City Manager, Mayor, or council clashes. Our ~$35,000 safety—fire, EMT—beats business sway; I’ll push infrastructure to grow jobs, but constituents rule. District 2’s voice cuts through—I’ll stand firm, even if it ruffles feathers, to serve our East Side’s real needs, not outside interests.

No—COSA shouldn’t twist Texas laws like Chapters 174 and 143 with underhanded moves; I’ve told SAFD that’s bad faith. Our ~135,000 East Siders need firefighters whole—I’ll fight those tactics in 2027 talks. My husband’s EMT calls showed me—your lives matter; I’ll push COSA to deal straight, no roasting scares me off. District 2’s ~$35,000 families deserve fair play—I’ll take the heat to keep SAFD strong and trusted.

Project Marvel’s a shiny lure, but I’ve told voters our ~135,000 East Siders need firehouses, not stadiums, first—growth’s hollow without infrastructure. Roads, SAFD lag—entertainment flops if we can’t sustain it; TIRZ drains the General Fund while ~$35,000 families wait. I get the Missions and Spurs draw, but not at our cost—current plans miss fire upgrades, fair pay. District 2’s safety beats sparkle—I’ll push sustainment over hype every time.

Yes—SAFD deserves pay close to SAPD; I’ve told ‘em I’ll dig into facts for equity—our ~135,000 rely on you. Firefighters back police, risking all; our ~$35,000 East Siders need fairness—I’ll work with SAFD and the Union to push COSA hard. My nephew’s a firefighter/EMT—I know the line you walk; I’ll take heat to balance it right. District 2’s safety hinges on you being valued.

Our East Side’s cracking—roads like Walters rot, homes vanish, budgets bloat—I’ve seen it hit our ~$35,000 families. I’m Stephanie Powell—30+ years in the Air Force taught me service; now’s the time to fight. Our ~135,000 deserve a council that acts—I’m here to fix it for you.

Walters Street’s a nightmare—potholes shake our ~$35,000 East Siders daily—I’ll push SA Roads for repairs—lights, bumps, crosswalks—starting there, no delays. Our ~135,000 need streets that work—I’ll fund it fast, notify you on impacts, and keep District 2 moving safe.

Our ~$35,000 can’t bleed—I’ll take a scalpel to waste, not streets—I’ve told voters failing programs die—cash shifts to Walters repairs, Sam Houston kids. Audits hit every line—our ~135,000 East Siders see results—common sense keeps District 2 funded, not broke—I’ll make it real.

Alamodome’s tents hurt—I’ll fund shelters there, fast, for our East Side’s lost—agencies get my push—housing, not handouts. Our ~135,000 need it—I’ve told voters teens get safe spots too—District 2 lifts up—I’ll make it happen with grit and cash.

Highland Park strays roam—I’ll fund clinics, adoption drives to clear ‘em—our ~135,000 East Siders deserve safe streets. I’ve told voters pets go home, not shelters—our ~$35,000 families get peace—I’ll keep it lean, kind, and real for District 2.

Vouchers gut Sam Houston—our taxes bleed out, closing East Side schools—I’ve told voters they’re off—our ~$35,000 lose big. I’ll fund programs—tutoring, arts—keeping our ~135,000 kids local—I’m here for District 2’s future, not private handouts.

Denver Heights bleeds—I’ll flood it with patrols near I-10—I’ve told voters it’s rawest there—programs hit next—our ~135,000 kids get options. Lights too—our ~$35,000 East Siders walk safe—I’ll fund peace where it’s toughest.

St. Paul Square’s gold—I’ll fund grants, training—I’ve told voters our ~$35,000 East Siders work there—our ~135,000 don’t trek far. Jobs bloom local—District 2’s heart pumps—I’ll make it thrive with real work.

Dignowity’s rents choke—our ~$35,000 can’t keep up—I’ll push relief, affordable homes—our ~135,000 stay rooted. I’ve told voters displacement ends—East Side’s ours—I’ll fight developers with cash and grit.

Policing’s frayed—I’ll add boots in Denver Heights—I’ve told voters our ~60% Hispanic, ~25% Black—our ~135,000—need trust—meetings tie us—District 2’s safe, not scared—I’ll fund it right.

Ella Austin’s our lifeline—I’ll tap city cash, partners—tutoring, sports—I’ve told voters our ~135,000 East Side kids thrive—safe spots matter—District 2’s future grows—I’ll keep it funded.

Our ~$35,000 groan—I’ll freeze taxes—audits show every cent—I’ve told voters our ~135,000 see it all—roads, kids get cash—District 2’s budget serves us with open books.

St. Paul Square, Dignowity—I’ll fund grants—I’ve told voters our ~$35,000 East Siders work local—our ~135,000 bloom block-by-block—District 2’s economy lifts—I’ll push it hard.

Alamodome nights spook—I’ll hit it with patrols, lights—I’ve told voters our ~135,000 walk free—buses boost too—District 2’s safe—I’ll fund it fierce.

Sam Houston bleeds—vouchers drain it—I’ll stop ‘em—I’ve told voters our ~$35,000 need cash here—programs keep our ~135,000 kids strong—I’ll fight for it.