Nancy L. Stephens has announced her candidacy for Grant County Commissioner, District 3.

Stephens has been living in Silver City for 17 years, where she and her husband Brian are raising their two school-aged children. Stephens earned her Master of Social Work degree from New Mexico State University and has worked as a clinical social worker for the past 20 years. She currently is a school social worker at Aldo Leopold (public) Charter School and is also Executive Director for the Imagination Library of Grant County, a nonprofit promoting early literacy.

"I chose a career aligned with my values and my belief that all people have dignity and worth. My career has given me opportunities to learn from people with different backgrounds and taught me that most people want many of the same things." If elected, Stephens said she will work to build productive relationships with Grant County residents as well as with elected officials, business leaders, and county administrators.

Stephens has contributed to our community in many ways over the years such as volunteering for Literacy Link Leamos, leading parenting classes at the detention center, and serving on local boards including Guadalupe Montessori School, Community Partnership for Children, and the Silver City Public Library Advisory Board. She is also a member of two service organizations, Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) and 24 Club. "Both of my parents were public school teachers, and I understand that with privilege comes responsibility. I feel ready now to step up and serve as county commissioner. I value honesty, hard work and public service, and I will do my best to represent my neighbors in District 3 as well as all Grant County residents."

Stephens said Grant County faces serious challenges such as a lack of affordable housing, insufficient access to healthcare (which includes primary, specialty, and behavioral health services), and the need to diversify our economy in ways that support small business development and green jobs. She hopes to use her knowledge relevant to identifying community resources and available grant funding, managing budgets, and working together to solve problems, to help the county achieve success in meeting such challenges.

For more information, contact Nancy Stephens at: nancy4grantcounty@gmail.com.