St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days has tapped Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a Democratic state representative from University City, to be her executive assistant.
This comes as Chappelle-Nadal exits her role as a state representative for the 86th District, which is covers parts of north St. St. Louis County, roughly bounded by I-170, St. Charles Rock Road, North Skinker Parkway and Delmar Boulevard.
Chappelle-Nadal can no longer serve as a state legislator due to mandated term limits.
“I knew that I wanted to continue in public service and I just didn’t know how I was going to it,” she said in an interview.
Before her most recent term, Chappelle-Nadal served in the 72nd House District from 2005 to 2011. She was then elected to the Missouri State Senate, succeeding Days in 2010. She served for two terms, totalling eight years.
Chappelle-Nadal replaces Courtney Curtis, who began working as Days’ executive assistant in September 2019. Curtis is a former state rep who pleaded guilty to federal crimes that include spending more than $40,000 of citizens’ money donated for the purposes of a 2016 campaign on things like hotel rooms and rent bills.
Days represents the county’s District 1, which includes the northern part of University City, north to Hazelwood and east to Moline Acres and Jennings.
The councilwoman said she and Chappelle worked together for a number of years and she has come to appreciate her work. So when Days found out she would be done with her time in the legislature in December, she knew she wanted her to come on board as her executive assistant.
“She is a very smart, dedicated and committed public servant,” Days said. “…I have admired her tenacity of getting to the bottom of issues. And so I’m just absolutely ecstatic that we’re going to be working together.”
“[Days] came to me and requested that I work for her,” Chappelle-Nadal told The St. Louis American. “And I was truly humbled by that because she’s an extraordinary woman and I just want to be of service to her — but I was also really excited about serving the people I’ve represented for the last 16 years in the legislature.”
About a week into her new role, Chappelle-Nadal says she’s been taking time to listen to the people in District 1.
“I am doing a lot of listening, because there are people who are calling the office and they’re expressing their concerns and their challenges. And so it is my obligation and our duty as an office to be responsive to the needs of residents here in the first district.”
Chappelle-Nadal said Days is focusing on a list of issues affecting county residents right now, including CARES Act funding for minority-owned businesses, mental health services and services for senior citizens and disabled residents.
“This is so exciting, I get to continue my service to the same people who I’ve been representing for such a long time,” she said. “And I can’t say more than it’s exciting to have a front row seat and still be of service.”