Her Roots Run Deep
Stephanie is a public school teacher, civic leader, and lifelong advocate for working-class families in West Virginia.
Born and raised in Marion County, she learned early what it means to work hard, stretch a paycheck, and rely on neighbors when times are tough. Those lessons didn’t just shape who she is—they shaped who she fights for.
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Growing up along the Husky Highway, Stephanie built deep roots in her community. She fondly recalls riding her bike to the Mannington pool, casting lines at Rachel Dam, sled riding at the Nick Saban Football Field in IdaMay, and proudly marching under the Friday night lights at Woodcutter Stadium. Those memories grounded her in the values of teamwork, resilience, and showing up for one another.
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At North Marion High School, she was active in athletics, the Marching Band, and FFA, while working part-time at Red Dot Pharmacy—experiences that strengthened her work ethic and sense of responsibility.
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After graduation, she balanced work and school to pursue higher education, earning degrees and certifications in Biology and Secondary Science Education from West Virginia University and Fairmont State College. Her path reflects a lifelong commitment to education, science, and serving the community that raised her.
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Stephanie and her husband Chris believe that raising their two daughters in West Virginia has been their greatest adventure.
Today, both Tomana girls are in college. Sophia is pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy, and Lillian is studying Art Therapy. Watching their daughters grow into compassionate, driven young women reinforces why Stephanie believes so deeply that West Virginia must remain a place where families can build a life and stay close to the people they love.
A Life of Service
For nearly two decades, Stephanie has served Marion County as a dedicated science educator, making a lasting impact in both parochial and public schools. Her classroom is built on curiosity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning that brings science to life.
Students in Stephanie’s classroom engage in immersive STEM projects, participate in Science Fairs, explore the universe inside the Star Lab, attend meaningful field trips, and help maintain a thriving classroom greenhouse. She believes learning should be experienced, not just memorized.
Beyond the classroom, Stephanie serves as Chairperson of the Local School Improvement Council, where parents, teachers, and community members collaborate to assess school needs and guide improvement efforts. She is also Co-Faculty Sponsor of the Science Honorary and serves as a liaison for the Student Assistance Team, helping ensure students receive the academic and personal support they need.
Her dedication to science education has earned her nominations for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) in 2021 and 2023. In 2022, she received the J. Kevin Scanlon Award for the Promotion of Science—an honor made even more meaningful because she was nominated by her students for her tireless support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affectionately known as “Coach T,” Stephanie has spent years coaching Track & Field, Cross Country, and recreational soccer, mentoring young people and fostering confidence, discipline, and teamwork.our children deserve.
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Stephanie serves as President of the S. N. Elliott Foundation, a scholarship trust dedicated to continuing the Elliott family’s legacy of service, education, and community support. Stephanie became an educator because she believes West Virginia’s children deserve every opportunity to thrive. She has worked alongside students and families across the region and witnessed the consequences of underfunded schools and policies that fail working families.
As a proud union member, she has stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow educators to defend public schools and fight for the future
She'll Fight for Us
Stephanie has always believed that if you care about your community, you step up and do the work.
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While serving on the IdaMay Improvement Association Board of Directors, she helped secure funding for projects that mattered—restoring the historic IdaMay School, improving local parks, purchasing a new town truck, and advocating for new fire hydrants to improve public safety. She successfully secured a congressional spending request for those hydrants. Although that funding was later clawed back by the current administration, she remains proud of the effort, because fighting for your community, even when it’s hard, is part of the job.
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Her commitment to service also extends to her faith community. Stephanie previously served on the Clarksburg Vicariate Pastoral Council and the St. Patrick’s Parish Council, and for many years taught catechism. Guiding young people in faith and values was never about recognition, it was about investing in the next generation.
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Today, she represents West Augusta on the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee, where she serves as Vice Chair.
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Stephanie refused to let an entrenched incumbent in a heavily gerrymandered district for the West Virginia House of Delegates go unchallenged. With strong support from labor unions and everyday West Virginians, she ran a true grassroots campaign and closed the gap to just nine points.
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In a year when many candidates lost by double digits, she outraised and outpaced even congressional campaigns—powered not by corporate PACs, but by small donors, volunteers, and neighbors who believed we deserve better. Her message resonated across party lines, proving that hard work, integrity, and accountability are not partisan values.
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She’s running for Congress for the same reason she’s always stepped up—because public service isn’t about status or inheritance. It’s about responsibility — and the future of West Virginia is worth fighting for.
