March 2025
General Members Meeting
Leander City Council Candidate Forum
Stephen Chang, Place 1
David McDonald, Place 3
Donnie Mahan, Place 5
(LeanderARW is a private Republican Women's club, and we reserve the right to only ask Republican candidates to participate in our forum.)
Monday, March 24, 2025
Doors Open at 11:00am
Facilities Resource, Inc.
1641 Scottsdale Drive
->-> POLICY CHANGE <-<-
WALK-INS NO LONGER ACCEPTED
MUST RSVP by March 19th at 6PM
This meeting is open to all Republican women and men.
1641 Scottsdale Drive
->-> POLICY CHANGE <-<-
WALK-INS NO LONGER ACCEPTED
MUST RSVP by March 19th at 6PM
This meeting is open to all Republican women and men.
Backyard Cookout ~ Hand-formed fresh beef burgers and grilled bratwurst served with grilled onions, spicy mustard, Broccoli Chopped Salad, Dill Potato Salad, Banana Pudding, and Fresh Brewed Tea
Catered by Shakers Catering
Meeting and Lunch - $25*
Meeting Only - $10*
*credit card transaction fees apply
*purchase is nonrefundable
Catered by Shakers Catering
Meeting and Lunch - $25*
Meeting Only - $10*
*credit card transaction fees apply
*purchase is nonrefundable
Leander City Council Candidates
Stephen Chang, Place 1 Candidate
Stephen Chang currently serves as Director of Communications for the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), a statewide trade association representing every facet of the Texas oil and natural gas industry, including small independents and major producers.
Prior to joining TXOGA, he served as Communications Director at various state agencies, including the Texas General Land Office and Office of the Texas Secretary of State, and as a Press Assistant in the Office of the Texas Governor.
Stephen is a graduate of Bethel University, where he earned a bachelor's in political science; Texas Tech University, where he earned a master's in strategic communication; and Texas A&M University's Bush School, where he earned a master's in public service and administration as well as a graduate certificate in public management. He also completed the Senior Management Program at the University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School.
In 2023, Stephen was appointed by the Mayor and City Council to the Leander Economic Development Committee, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman.
Stephen is proud to call Leander home and is dedicated to fostering a thriving community by safeguarding your hard-earned tax dollars, championing smart growth, enhancing infrastructure, strengthening public safety, and upholding transparency and accountability in local government.
For more information visit his website and Facebook page.
Prior to joining TXOGA, he served as Communications Director at various state agencies, including the Texas General Land Office and Office of the Texas Secretary of State, and as a Press Assistant in the Office of the Texas Governor.
Stephen is a graduate of Bethel University, where he earned a bachelor's in political science; Texas Tech University, where he earned a master's in strategic communication; and Texas A&M University's Bush School, where he earned a master's in public service and administration as well as a graduate certificate in public management. He also completed the Senior Management Program at the University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School.
In 2023, Stephen was appointed by the Mayor and City Council to the Leander Economic Development Committee, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman.
Stephen is proud to call Leander home and is dedicated to fostering a thriving community by safeguarding your hard-earned tax dollars, championing smart growth, enhancing infrastructure, strengthening public safety, and upholding transparency and accountability in local government.
For more information visit his website and Facebook page.
David McDonald, Place 3 Candidates (Incumbent)
David McDonald currently serves on Leander City Council Place 3. David was appointed to the CAPCOG Executive Committee and Clean Air Coalition. David also serves on the Leander City Council Capitol Finance Subcommittee. Two of David’s top priorities are public safety and economic growth. David led the effort adding additional police positions in the 2023 budget. David has been part of a team that has approved multiple developments to include Home Depot, Bar W Ranch Phase 2, TOPO on Crystal Falls, South Side Market, and others.
David is a native Texan and originally from Abilene. After high school David realized his calling to serve and Joined the Marine Corps in 1988. Just a short time later he was deployed to the middle east to serve in Desert Storm. At the completion of his Marine service, David started his career with the Austin Police Department. Though David loved his job and where he
worked, Austin did not provide the quality of life he wanted for his family. Hailing from the small-town David preferred that small town feel and offered a great education for his children. Leander checked all the boxes, and he moved his family from Austin to Leander in 1997.
David worked in various units throughout his career, uniform patrol, gang unit, motorcycle unit, Special Response Team, Community Outreach (DR Unit) and the traffic unit. David saw law enforcement as a “calling” and a way to serve. After he retired from law enforcement, David worked for the State at the Department of Transportation and now works as a consultant. David is a results-driven multifaceted leader with a proven track record of implementing strategic “Statewide Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Programs.” He has a strong business acumen in project management, teams, trusted partner with state & federal agencies, and all first responder agencies.
David and his wife have served many families through their marriage small groups with a focus on strengthening marriages. David is a family man, husband, father, and grandfather.
For more information, visit his website and Facebook page.
David is a native Texan and originally from Abilene. After high school David realized his calling to serve and Joined the Marine Corps in 1988. Just a short time later he was deployed to the middle east to serve in Desert Storm. At the completion of his Marine service, David started his career with the Austin Police Department. Though David loved his job and where he
worked, Austin did not provide the quality of life he wanted for his family. Hailing from the small-town David preferred that small town feel and offered a great education for his children. Leander checked all the boxes, and he moved his family from Austin to Leander in 1997.
David worked in various units throughout his career, uniform patrol, gang unit, motorcycle unit, Special Response Team, Community Outreach (DR Unit) and the traffic unit. David saw law enforcement as a “calling” and a way to serve. After he retired from law enforcement, David worked for the State at the Department of Transportation and now works as a consultant. David is a results-driven multifaceted leader with a proven track record of implementing strategic “Statewide Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Programs.” He has a strong business acumen in project management, teams, trusted partner with state & federal agencies, and all first responder agencies.
David and his wife have served many families through their marriage small groups with a focus on strengthening marriages. David is a family man, husband, father, and grandfather.
For more information, visit his website and Facebook page.
Donnie Mahan, Place 5 Candidate
Leander is more than just a city to Donnie Mahan—it’s his home. It’s where Donnie and his family has planted roots, where he has dedicated years to serving our community, and where he has worked to help shape its future. From coaching youth sports to serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission for over five years, Donnie's passion has always been to give back to this incredible city and the people who make it special.
Donnie bring a diverse background that allows him to relate to and serve the people of Leander effectively. He grew up in a small, rural town in North Carolina, worked factory jobs, and served 15 years in the Army—both as an enlisted Infantryman and later as an officer leading soldiers.
After his military service, Donnie transitioned into corporate America, where he built a career in project management, leadership development, operations, and HR. Donnie has worked at all levels—both as an individual contributor and as a leader managing large teams and complex projects. Through these experiences, Donnie understand the struggles of working families, small business owners, and growing communities. I’ve seen firsthand how smart planning and leadership can make a difference.
Leander is growing rapidly, and we need intentional, well-planned development to ensure we become a destination city while preserving our small-town charm. Donnie is running for City Council to promote smart growth, improve infrastructure, support economic development, and provide strong leadership that puts residents first.
He is ready to bring his experience, leadership, and dedication to the City Council to help guide Leander’s future. Donnie would be honored to earn your support and your vote!
For more information, visit his Facebook page.
Donnie bring a diverse background that allows him to relate to and serve the people of Leander effectively. He grew up in a small, rural town in North Carolina, worked factory jobs, and served 15 years in the Army—both as an enlisted Infantryman and later as an officer leading soldiers.
After his military service, Donnie transitioned into corporate America, where he built a career in project management, leadership development, operations, and HR. Donnie has worked at all levels—both as an individual contributor and as a leader managing large teams and complex projects. Through these experiences, Donnie understand the struggles of working families, small business owners, and growing communities. I’ve seen firsthand how smart planning and leadership can make a difference.
Leander is growing rapidly, and we need intentional, well-planned development to ensure we become a destination city while preserving our small-town charm. Donnie is running for City Council to promote smart growth, improve infrastructure, support economic development, and provide strong leadership that puts residents first.
He is ready to bring his experience, leadership, and dedication to the City Council to help guide Leander’s future. Donnie would be honored to earn your support and your vote!
For more information, visit his Facebook page.