Vanessa Stephens is a third-generation Chugiak resident running to represent district 2 on the Anchorage Assembly. She happens to be transgender but is adamant that this is not an important aspect of her campaign. Much of her advocacy focuses on making Chugiak-Eagle River more compliant with the Americans for Disabilities Act, as she has been using a wheelchair for over 20 years. Although encouraged to run by current Assembly member John Weddleton, her campaign does not have a website, has submitted no fundraising reports to APOC, and has no discernable field operation. She opposed the Anchorage Assembly’s mask mandate, dislikes Sen. Lisa Murkowski for being a “RINO,” and supports former president Donald Trump.