Prior to her election to the state house Stephany served as Vice Chairwoman of the Ward 4 Democratic Committee in Burlington, Vermont.

[2] Stephany was first elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1976 for the Chittenden 4-6 district, taking the seat being vacated by the retiring James Fitzpatrick.

Over the following two years Sanders and Burlington Democrats had poor relations with each other, and the party was eager to take back the mayoralty at the time of the next election in 1983.

[5] An hour before the deadline for nominations closed Stephany announced her intent to run, after being promised $30,000 in fundraising support by the Burlington Democratic Party.

[6] However only a few days after winning the nomination she changed tack, announcing that she would step down from her position as Minority Leader and resign her seat in the Vermont House.