Phones in Texas Senate District 25 were ringing Friday, while calls to Councilwoman Elisa Chan were unanswered amid fallout from her recorded homophobic remarks and opposition to a nondiscrimination ordinance.

In the calls to district voters, a pollster tested Chan's name recognition against incumbent Donna Campbell and San Antonio businessman Mike Novak, who last week declared his intention to run for the seat.

As the poll was happening, San Antonians were reacting to news that Chan made a series of divisive anti-gay remarks during a staff meeting at which she was secretly recorded.

The meeting was a strategy session centered on Chan's opposition to a nondiscrimination ordinance that would add protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status.

Local leaders condemned her remarks, while city, state and national groups called for her resignation.

Chan didn't return a call seeking comment for this report.

The poll testing her statewide appeal didn't include any LGBT-related inquiries.

One person who received the call and asked not to be named said, “There were several scripted questions about abortion, property taxes, business taxes.”

He added, “I got the distinct impression that (the poll) was driven by Chan. It spun Chan well.”

Republican Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff said Saturday that he learned of the poll before Thursday, when the San Antonio Express-News posted on its websites a recording of Chan during a District 9 council office staff meeting.

The recording captures Chan saying same-sex couples should not be allowed to adopt children and other negative views.

Then-aide James Stevens recorded the audio on his iPhone during the May 21 meeting. He released it last week to the Express-News. The report has drawn national attention.

Republican strategist Lionel Sosa said Saturday it's unclear whether Chan's comments will benefit her in Campbell's conservative Senate district.

“I'm sure this isn't the best time for her,” he said.

Given the conservative nature of the district that touches five counties, Chan could get a bump from the recent media coverage, Sosa said.

“On the other hand, any kind of controversy like this is not good,” he said. “She should come out and say whether it's a mistake or she stands by what she said.”

Sosa, who has worked on six presidential campaigns, said “it's never a good idea to lock yourself out from the media.”

Novak said he'd heard “rumbles and rumors around town” about the Chan poll but didn't pay much attention.

“She's made it clear in the community that she's interested in” the Senate seat, Novak said.

He declined to comment about Chan's remarks and their effects on a potential campaign.

Sosa said Chan's most recent controversy, paired with several past ones, could spell trouble for a campaign.

It's clear, though, that she's long been thinking of higher office.

During the taped conversation about the city's proposed nondiscrimination ordinance, Chan's communications officer, Roger LeGrand, said: “I would just appeal to your base. ... This thing's gonna pass; I'm pretty sure there's almost nothing you can do to stop it, so you might as well take the opportunity to connect with people who will potentially vote for you in an upcoming Republican primary.”