Candidate for
State Senator; District 36; Republican Party

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 16, 1961 to hard-working middle class parents, Greg Stephens grew up in a home where service to community and country was looked upon as a solemn obligation + not an option. He grew up with industrious, self-reliant, and patriotic examples all around him.

From 1983 through 2001, Greg worked as a television producer and director. He worked on a variety of television programs and won three Telly Awards for outstanding broadcasting and journalistic achievements.

Although his career in the entertainment industry was going well, Greg wanted to do more for his country so in 1987 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a member of the Air National Guard. He was deployed three separate times + to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq + as an Air Evacuation Medic during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Back home, Greg was called to serve his country again. On April 19, 1995, his military training proved extremely valuable when he was activated as a first responder to the Oklahoma City Bombing. He assisted in the evacuation and recovery of hundreds of innocent victims + men, women and children + from the wreckage of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Greg received numerous awards and in 1997 was honorably discharged as a decorated Tech Sergeant.

Greg's firsthand experiences in war and homeland security heightened his appreciation for his country and strengthened his conviction that America must do everything within its power to protect its citizens.

In 2001, Greg followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps by becoming a pastor. He and his family relocated to Southern California to lead a church in La Mesa. Since then, the church has grown ten-fold and now serves people from all around San Diego County.

As Pastor, Greg supports the San Diego community in a number of ways. For example, his church operates the "12 Baskets Program" through which local grocery stores and businesses can donate excess food items to families in need. Being an advocate for youth and education, Greg works closely with Liberty and Literacy First Charter Schools and other groups and individuals to help provide parents with better options for their children's educations. But Greg doesn't limit his service to local causes. He spearheaded volunteer efforts benefiting groups that provide humanitarian relief and support to individuals being persecuted in the Sudan. He helped start a school in Monrovia, Liberia. He traveled twice to Ethiopia in support of humanitarian efforts. He sponsors orphanages and schools in Israel, Nepal and the Philippines both financially and through organizing fundraisers and charitable events.

Over the years, Greg has spoken with dozens of families who feel let down by Sacramento's failed programs and false promises. In 2009, he knew he needed to answer another call to service: to help make California a better place for its families and businesses. He decided to run for the California Senate seat.

Greg knows it won't be easy to fix Sacramento and the system that has disappointed and discouraged so many. But, he has never been afraid of a challenge. He is a true conservative and will fight for change for the better for citizens of the 36th Senate District and all Californians.