Stevenson, whose maiden name is Ward, was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she was active in 4-H. She graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting in 1981.

[3] In 2008, when she ran for re-election, she was challenged by Albert Abbatiello, who served as a Supervisor on the Julington Creek Plantation Community Development District,[4] in the Republican primary.

[7] When she ran for re-election to a third term in 2012, she faced a stiff challenge in the Republican primary from Brian Iannucci, a businessman and a member of the St. Augustine Tea Party.

[11] She faced Mike Davis, a construction company owner, and Frank Capra, an attorney and a former Vero Beach City Councilman, in the Republican primary.

[14] She was also endorsed by The St. Augustine Record, which, though it praised Stevens, called Stevenson out for being "one of the more moderate, yet consistent, voices on the County Commission" and noted, "She clearly has the advantage in terms of readiness to make a difference in the Florida House.