Your monthly support provides voters the knowledge they need to make confident decisions at the polls. Donate today.

Stephen Sanders

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
BP-Initials-UPDATED.png
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Stephen Sanders
Nonpartisan
Candidate, Mayor of Lubbock
Elections and appointments
Last election
May 4, 2024
Next election
May 2, 2026
Education
Bachelor's
Texas Tech University, 2021
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Army
Years of service
2001 - 2003
Personal
Birthplace
Lubbock, TX
Religion
Christian
Profession
Small Business Owner, Musician, and Motivational Speaker
Contact
Campaign website
Campaign Facebook
Campaign X
Campaign Instagram
Personal Facebook
Personal Instagram
Personal LinkedIn

Stephen Sanders is running for election for Mayor of Lubbock in Texas. He is on the ballot in the general election on May 2, 2026.[source]

Biography

Stephen Sanders was born in Lubbock, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2003. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University in 2021. His career experience includes working as a small business owner, musician, and motivational speaker. Sanders is affiliated with Principled Veteran.[1]

Elections

2026

See also: Mayoral election in Lubbock, Texas (2026)

General election

The general election will occur on May 2, 2026.

General election for Mayor of Lubbock

Incumbent Mark McBrayer (Nonpartisan), Peggy Bohmfalk (Nonpartisan), Stephen Sanders (Nonpartisan), and G. Todd Winans (Nonpartisan) are running in the general election for Mayor of Lubbock on May 2, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Mark McBrayer
Mark McBrayer (Nonpartisan)
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Peggy Bohmfalk (Nonpartisan)
Image of Stephen Sanders
Stephen Sanders (Nonpartisan)
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
G. Todd Winans (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: Mayoral election in Lubbock, Texas (2024)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Mayor of Lubbock

Mark McBrayer defeated Steve Massengale in the general runoff election for Mayor of Lubbock on June 15, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Mark McBrayer
Mark McBrayer (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
72.2
 
11,891
Image of Steve Massengale
Steve Massengale (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
27.8
 
4,587

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 16,478
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

General election for Mayor of Lubbock

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Lubbock on May 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Mark McBrayer
Mark McBrayer (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
37.4
 
11,552
✔
Image of Steve Massengale
Steve Massengale (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
28.3
 
8,739
Image of Adam Hernandez
Adam Hernandez (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
20.4
 
6,315
Image of Stephen Sanders
Stephen Sanders (Nonpartisan)
 
7.1
 
2,200
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Antonio Renteria (Nonpartisan)
 
5.9
 
1,810
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Kolton Bacon (Nonpartisan)
 
1.0
 
312

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 30,928
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Sanders in this election.

2022

See also: Mayoral election in Lubbock, Texas (2022)

General election

General election for Mayor of Lubbock

Tray Payne defeated Adam Hernandez, Stephen Sanders, Gulrez Khan, and Epifanio Garza in the general election for Mayor of Lubbock on May 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Tray Payne
Tray Payne (Nonpartisan)
 
67.6
 
12,986
Image of Adam Hernandez
Adam Hernandez (Nonpartisan)
 
18.6
 
3,572
Image of Stephen Sanders
Stephen Sanders (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
8.8
 
1,692
Image of Gulrez Khan
Gulrez Khan (Nonpartisan)
 
3.1
 
604
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Epifanio Garza (Nonpartisan)
 
1.8
 
343

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 19,197
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Mayoral election in Lubbock, Texas (2020)

General election

General election for Mayor of Lubbock

Incumbent Dan Pope defeated Stephen Sanders in the general election for Mayor of Lubbock on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Dan Pope
Dan Pope (Nonpartisan)
 
55.7
 
49,064
Image of Stephen Sanders
Stephen Sanders (Nonpartisan)
 
44.3
 
38,981

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 88,045
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

General election

General election for Mayor of Lubbock

Incumbent Dan Pope defeated Jonathan Cothran and Stephen Sanders in the general election for Mayor of Lubbock on May 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Dan Pope
Dan Pope (Nonpartisan)
 
78.0
 
11,394
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jonathan Cothran (Nonpartisan)
 
18.4
 
2,686
Image of Stephen Sanders
Stephen Sanders (Nonpartisan)
 
3.6
 
524

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 14,604
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Stephen Sanders has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Stephen Sanders asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Stephen Sanders, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 25,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Stephen Sanders to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing stephenjsanders83@gmail.com.

Twitter
Email

Campaign website

Sanders' campaign website stated the following:

A Vision for Lubbock

Stephen Sanders' plan to make Lubbock safer, more transparent, and thriving for all. With public safety as his foremost priority, Stephen will ensure fiscal responsibility, demand accountability at city hall, fix our infrastructure, support small businesses, and serve all four corners of our city.


Public Safety (Foremost Priority)

My foremost priority. I am committed to enhancing security throughout Lubbock by working closely with law enforcement to reduce crime and improve response times. Our families deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Work closely with law enforcement to reduce crime rates across all neighborhoods
  2. Improve emergency response times through better resource allocation
  3. Expand community policing initiatives to build trust between officers and residents
  4. Support youth mentorship programs that provide guidance and prevent at-risk behavior
  5. Ensure adequate funding and training for our police and first responders


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Deploy Cluster Response Teams - Position officers near crime hotspots using data-driven analysis
  2. Increase Recruitment Incentives - Competitive pay and benefits to attract top law enforcement talent
  3. Community Policing Expansion - Build trust through neighborhood partnerships and transparency


Fiscal Responsibility

As a fiscal conservative and watchdog for taxpayers, I will ensure every dollar of our city budget is spent wisely. By thoroughly analyzing expenditures and eliminating wasteful spending, we can invest in what truly matters for Lubbock families.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Thoroughly analyze all city expenditures to identify wasteful spending
  2. Publish plain-language budget summaries accessible to all citizens
  3. Implement a clear debt reduction plan with measurable milestones
  4. Prioritize essential services over non-essential projects
  5. Ensure tax dollars are invested where they matter most for families


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Zero-Based Budgeting - Every department justifies every dollar annually, no automatic increases
  2. Public Spending Dashboard - Real-time transparency showing where every tax dollar goes
  3. Eliminate Wasteful Contracts - Independent audit of all city vendor relationships


Accountability & Transparency

I will demand accountability and ensure that city hall operates with complete transparency. Citizens deserve to know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent and who is making decisions on their behalf.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Create public dashboards tracking all major city expenditures and bond projects
  2. Require full disclosure of conflicts of interest for all city officials
  3. Review all city contracts for fairness and eliminate back-room deals
  4. Establish independent oversight for major spending decisions
  5. Hold regular public briefings on city finances and project progress


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Monthly Public Budget Reports - Easy-to-understand spending summaries delivered to citizens
  2. Open Data Portal - All city records accessible online within legal limits
  3. Quarterly Town Halls - Meetings in all four corners of Lubbock, not just City Hall


Infrastructure Development

Our roads, bridges, and public transportation systems need attention. I will prioritize infrastructure improvements to ensure safe and efficient travel for all residents throughout every corner of Lubbock.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Prioritize road repairs in neighborhoods that have waited the longest
  2. Ensure bond money is spent where it was promised to voters
  3. Improve bridges and transportation corridors for safer travel
  4. Explore public transportation options to better connect our communities
  5. Hold contractors accountable for quality work and timely completion


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Bond Accountability Scorecard - Public tracking dashboard showing status of every promised road project
  2. Equitable Investment Formula - Infrastructure spending based on actual need, not neighborhood wealth
  3. Timeline Enforcement - Contractors face real penalties for delays without legitimate cause


Support for Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. I will advocate for streamlined regulations, financial incentives, and Buy Local campaigns to help our local entrepreneurs thrive and keep wealth in Lubbock families' hands.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Streamline permit processes to reduce wait times and red tape
  2. Advocate for financial incentives that help local entrepreneurs grow
  3. Launch Buy Local campaigns to encourage shopping at Lubbock businesses
  4. Create a small business advocate position in city government
  5. Prioritize local contractors and vendors for city projects when possible


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Streamline Permitting - 30-day maximum timeline for business license approval
  2. Buy Local Campaign - City government prioritizes Lubbock businesses for contracts under $50K
  3. Small Business Grants - Micro-loan program specifically for entrepreneurs in underserved areas


Community Engagement

Building a strong community requires active participation. I will promote workshops, training programs, and networking opportunities to empower our residents and foster a sense of belonging across all neighborhoods.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Host regular town hall meetings in every corner of the city
  2. Create workshops and training programs for residents and entrepreneurs
  3. Establish networking opportunities that connect neighbors and businesses
  4. Ensure every voice is heard, especially in historically underserved areas
  5. Foster partnerships between community organizations, churches, and city hall


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Neighborhood Captain Program - Empower resident leaders in every neighborhood with direct City Hall access
  2. Youth Leadership Academy - Train the next generation of community organizers and civic leaders
  3. Multilingual Outreach - All City communications available in English and Spanish


Veterans & Homeless Support

Those who served our country and those facing homelessness deserve comprehensive solutions. I will work to provide essential services, housing assistance, and pathways to stability for our most vulnerable neighbors.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Ensure veterans have access to the services and support they earned
  2. Work with nonprofits and churches to provide pathways out of homelessness
  3. Connect homeless individuals with job training and employment opportunities
  4. Expand affordable housing options and transitional housing programs
  5. Address root causes of homelessness with compassion and practical solutions


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Housing First Initiative - Provide immediate shelter before requirements or red tape
  2. VA Partnership - Dedicated staff to connect veterans with federal benefits they've earned
  3. Mental Health Services - Expand crisis intervention teams and long-term support programs


Clean & Well-Maintained City

A clean city is a proud city. I will implement regular cleanup programs and maintenance schedules to ensure our streets, parks, and public spaces remain inviting for residents and visitors alike.


Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Implement regular neighborhood cleanup programs
  2. Maintain parks and public spaces to high standards
  3. Address illegal dumping and enforce city cleanliness ordinances
  4. Beautify entryways and corridors throughout Lubbock
  5. Engage volunteers and community groups in city pride initiatives


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Weekly Cleanup Crews - Regular maintenance service in ALL neighborhoods, not just wealthy ones
  2. Code Enforcement Equity - Same standards and response times applied across all city districts
  3. Community Pride Days - Monthly volunteer beautification events in rotating neighborhoods


Responsible Pet Ownership

Addressing animal overpopulation through expanded spay/neuter programs, licensing for breeders, and education on responsible pet ownership. We will protect families while treating animals humanely.

Stephen's Commitments:


  1. Expand affordable spay/neuter programs throughout the city
  2. Require permits and licensing for large-scale breeding operations
  3. Partner with local rescues and veterinarians on humane solutions
  4. Educate residents on responsible pet ownership and animal safety
  5. Protect families from dangerous animals while treating all animals humanely


Stephen's 3-Point Plan:


  1. Expanded Spay/Neuter Programs - Free or low-cost services for low-income families
  2. Breeder Licensing - Registration requirements to reduce animal overpopulation at the source
  3. Education Campaigns - Partner with schools on humane pet care and responsibility


— Stephen Sanders' campaign website (March 6, 2026)

Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

2024

Stephen Sanders did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Candidate Connection

Stephen Sanders completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sanders' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

My name is Stephen Sanders, and I have come to bridge the gap between all races while keeping my Christian conservative values and Lubbock citizens' best interests at heart. I want to fight crime and homelessness and improve the quality of life in Lubbock, Texas. This election is not about me but about those who will come after me. My goal in life is to inspire, and I hope I have inspired some of you! I must admit that God has done mighty things in my campaigns, and this one is no different! Thank you, Lubbock!
  • We Are Lubbock Together
  • We will lower the crime rate!
  • We will fight to end homelessness!
Tax policies are essential to me because they directly impact the citizen's income. We should always be looking to lower taxes or keep them from rising!
Ben Carson
The documentary called “ Uncle Tom “
Transparency is the most important but loving your city deep down in your heart ensures that the candidate is the right fit. I also believe being educated helps to understand the magnitude of the position.
What makes me the best is that I care about all people! I understand that their tax dollars don't belong to me and that it's easier to wait and vote than to decide and then tell people. We will not make decisions behind the peoples back.
integrity

Protecting the citizens
Supporting the citizens ideas
Protecting your drinking water
Being at your events to support the things you do
What's best for all
City tradition

In this city Texas Tech University
Bring all races of people together, and we all raise our children to embrace differences and keep our city a nice place to raise a family. Giving out love to all is my goal!
9/11
Raising pigs with my grandfather!
When power meets potential by T.D. Jakes
Iron Man!
September by Earth Wind and Fire
Loving to hard!🙏🏾
Someone able to manage time while supporting the city and its events and making sure the council is working together, and keeping a close eye on our finances and budget, and resources!
Making sure our citizens are protected and not underserved. Building our city leadership into a place of strength and understanding! Facing our most demanding challenges, such as crime!
Knowing that the city needs and building a blueprint of what that looks like and getting that to the city manager so he can help make the plan of how to get there the cheapest, most reliable way.
NA
We have faced so many challenging things, and in all those times, we always found a way to be resilient and bounce back! We are a diverse community with diverse needs, yet we are Lubbock together!
Protecting our water and lowering our crime as we continue to grow. Setting ourselves on a path to become debt-free or economically stable with low debt and a great plan to keep it that way.
We don't need the government to tell us what to do. I believe we can handle as much of our business without the government as possible.
Same thing, little government little unless we ask or need it.
why didn't the skeleton cross the street?

He didn't have the guts 😂
It will be essential to us moving forward and beating crime, and making sure our city is safer! Chief Mitchell is a good man, and I believe he and I will do great things.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Stephen Sanders did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

See also

2026 Elections

Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
What's on the ballot?
U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress special elections
State executives
State legislatures
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards
Election analysis hub

Government

Seal of Texas.png
Who represents me?
U.S. Congress
State executives
State legislators
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards

Newsletters

Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
The Daily Brew
The Weekly Brew
The Ballot Bulletin
Checks and Balances
Economy and Society
Hall Pass
Number of the Day
Robe & Gavel
Union Station


External links

Candidate

Mayor of Lubbock
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
    		•

    Personal

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 19, 2022
    Flag of Texas
    v • e
    State of Texas
    Austin (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy


    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stephen_Sanders&oldid=11060337"