New Contender Vying For Lower Merion's Ward 4 Seat

LOWER MERION, PA – With Lower Merion Township Ward 4 Commissioner Steven K. Lindner not seeking reelection this year, two contenders have emerged for the seat. With Mike Hays already announcing his candidacy, we talked with Anthony Stevenson, who will be running against Hays in the May primary.

Stevenson, 48, of Lower Merion, said he already has earned support from citizens and political groups in the township and Ward 4 ahead of the May 16 primary.

He decided to run after the November election, saying progressive change comes from active participation, as well as seeing changes in Ward 4.

"Our ward has been changing and I'm interested in creating a voice about some of those needs in our ward, particularly around development and providing adequate programs for businesses and youth," Stevenson said in a recent interview.

RELATED: Mike Hays Throws Hat In Race For Lower Merion's Fourth Ward Commissioner Seat

While he wants to focus on developing the area, he said it needs to be done intelligently, using what he calls "smart growth."

"Development is part of maintaining a good community," he said. However, he thinks over development can lead to people being displaced. "I want to support the people who are there and in communities that are traditionally working class and older people."

He has held numerous positions in education for more than 20 years, serving as a principal, an adjunct professor, director of education services and a teacher over his lengthy career.

Stevenson – who serves as the director of secondary education at Radnor Township School District – has an impressive education.

He possesses the following degrees:

• Bachelor of arts degree in History with a minor in political science from South Carolina State University;
• Masters degrees in geography with a concentration in regional and community planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania;
• Aasters equivalency in education administration principal and supervision certification from Temple;
• Masters of divinity with concentration in global missions and community outreach from Lutheran Theological Seminary;
• a masters of education with a concentration in educational leadership Pennsylvania School Superintendent Letter of Eligibility Certification from Penn;
• and most recently, he earned his mid-career doctorate in education leadership from Penn.

Steveson, despite holding many degrees that make him a viable candidate for office, has never been an elected public official.

However, the newcomer has earned endorsements from local groups, such as the Ardmore Political Club and the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth.

Asked about how he feels heading to the primary, he said his spirits are high.

"I feel good about the primary," he said. "I'm humbled by the endorsements from the party and the club. I'm excited. People have responded to the platform I put forth."

Stevenson said he's been knocking on a lot of doors to drum up support.

"It's a grassroots approach to local politics, getting to know people and the issues," he said. "We've got to represent underrepresented."

Aside from development, Stevenson wants to focus on bringing the diverse community in Ward 4 together on issues such as traffic and pedestrian safety, continue building the relationship between Ward 4 residents and emergency responders, keeping a budget that's friendly to the township's taxpayers and ensuring students in Lower Merion still get the great education they have received for years.

"Its going to require all of us to move forward," Stevenson said of making Lower Merion an even better place to live.

To learn more about Stevenson, help the campaign, donate and more, visit his website here.

The primary election is set for May 19, and the general election Nov. 7.

Unsure of which ward you live in? Visit Lower Merion Township's website to find out who represents you.

Contributed photo