[5] She was first elected to represent the 62nd legislative district in 1990, defeating Republican Paul Wass.
She was also a supporter of reform of house rules to provide more openness and more participation by rank and file legislators.
[6] She proposed a keg registration law to combat underage drinking.
[8][9] Both candidates made improving the local economic climate part of their platforms.
[10] During the campaign, Steelman "erupted" on the district's airwaves with taxpayer-funded "public service announcements" for the first time in a decade.