To say Maria Chappelle-Nadal is an underdog in the race for the 1st Congressional District would be an understatement. Nadal, a former state representative and senator, is one of four area candidates vying to represent a district that includes St. Louis and most of northern St. Louis County.
She admits that her political war chest, compared to her two well-funded opponents Congresswoman Cori Bush and County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, is more like a piggy bank.
She may be better positioned than candidate Ron Harshaw, also a Black Democrat, but her chances of beating either Bush or Bell seem…well, unlikely.
Still, Chappelle-Nadal feels her voice is needed in the competition. When she launched her campaign last year, she defined Bell as a “Republican plant” and Bush as “someone who has created more controversy than progress” since she was elected as the 1st district’s congresswoman in 2021.
Chappelle-Nadal insists that neither candidate has championed issues she nor her constituents are passionate about. If elected, she promises to tackle environmental concerns; help people that have been exposed to radioactive waste; give aid to Black women who’ve been left behind in terms of “day-to-day” living; provide tax credits and tax exemptions to ease the transportation woes of marginalized communities and more.
Chappelle-Nadal simply contends that she’s the better choice. She stands by her legislative record from 2004 to 2016. Bell, she said, may have served as a city counselor but he has no legislative experience. As for Bush, Chappelle-Nadal claims she’s a poor, divisive legislator who hasn’t served her district well.
Bell has received campaign funding from groups like AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee Political Action Committee), a bipartisan, pro-Israel political action committee determined to oust Cong. Bush from Office. Chappelle-Nadal said she’s received no funding from AIPAC which is surprising considering her pro-Israel positions on the current conflict in the middle east.
Chappelle-Nadal spoke with the St. Louis American to expound on the differences between herself and her opponents and to define how an underdog just might pull off a seemingly impossible endeavor.
********
STL American: You ran against former U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay in 2016, what did you learn from that defeat that will serve to your advantage now in the congressional race?
Maria Chappelle-Nadal: What I learned from that defeat, which was my only defeat, is that incumbency matters. It really weighs heavy, especially with 20 years (in office) or more. Even though we have an incumbent in this race (Bush) it’s a very weak incumbent who does not have a 20-year record. It’s a weak incumbent with a lot of flaws.
STL American: You were quite outspoken over the issues related to the death ofMike Brown in 2014. How did that tragedy impact you as a person and a politician?
Chappelle-Nadal: My number one goal was always community and constituency services. That terrible time, which was also a period of enlightenment, caused me to be a better public servant. I was literally protesting and standing beside gang members, underground rappers, members of the Nation of Islam and clergy people…it was incumbent upon me to become a translator between the legislature and the people who had been traumatized and hurt by a failing system.
STL American: What have you learned from your experiences as a state representative and senator that has prepared you for Congress?
Chappelle-Nadal: Do your homework. Know how to negotiate. Articulate and metabolize complex ideas and policies. What the opposition will always do-especially to Black people-is test what they know. I’ve been most successful in arguing my points and getting legislation passed based on having full knowledge and comprehension… because of my ability to articulate those issues on the senate floor or in a room full of legislators trying to figure out what the legislation does. I was the one explaining it.
STL American: Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems your campaign isn’t as well-funded as your opponents.
Chappelle-Nadal: It’s not (laughs)!
STL American: So, how do you plan to win despite your funding deficit?
Chappelle-Nadal: I have a record of public service. People didn’t want me out of politics. You couldn’t tell me four years ago that I’d run for office but as I looked at the two important candidates in the race, I thought it was most important that my voice be heard in this race, especially with my 20 years of public service experience.
STL American: You’ve publicly said that you’re the better candidate because you have more legislative experience than Bell or Bush combined. Is that the biggest difference?
Chappelle-Nadal: No, that’s not the biggest difference. I actually respond to my constituents and follow up with them. I am visible in the community as a public servant…those are big issues. I always say that 50% of the job is to follow-up on constituency-work. As I’ve been out campaigning and talking to everyday citizens, they’ve given me examples-from both my opponents-saying they do not follow up with their constituents. That’s troublesome.
STL American: When you launched your campaign last year, you stated that Bell was a Republican “plant”in the race. Can you elaborate on that claim?
Chappelle-Nadal: Yes, it’s troublesome to see how much money Republicans have been sourcing to his campaign. Part of it is AIPAC and part of it is seeing-within his infrastructure-people who are known Republicans supporting him. All you have to do is go through his campaign financing. I can name several Republicans on that report.
STL American: You also saidBush is “someone who has created more controversy than progress since going to Washington.” What did you mean by that?
Chappelle-Nadal: Yes, I understand what’s going on in the middle east, but we have genocide here at home. There are people suffering from exposure to radioactive waste. I’ve always believed that you don’t vote against your district. And I think-in some of her coalitions-she’s voted against her district time and time again. One example was the infrastructure bill…there are numerous pieces of legislation that she’s voted against. I’ve bitten my tongue over the last few years about her kind of leadership, but I’ve finally said, ‘enough is enough.’
STL American: You announced your candidacy after Hamas launched a terrorist attack against Israel and after Bush received serious backlash for criticizing Israel’s response and calling for a ceasefire. Did those actions play a part in your decision to run?
Chappelle-Nadal: In part, yes. I would say that both her and Wesley’s entrance into the race influenced the reason why I chose to enter. I thought it was really necessary that the public have another option. I want to highlight the fact that knowing the legislative institution and what is commanded in that position is necessary. It’s what I have that the other three (candidates) don’t. Wesley talks about serving on the city council…well, I’m glad that he’s voted on speed bumps and stop signs but that’s not legislating. I give voters a different voice, one of reason, experience and commitment.
STL American: You were censured in 2017 in the State Senate for negative comments you made about then-President Donald Trump. Can relate to the extreme pushback Bush has received from her comments about Israel?
Chappelle-Nadal: That’s interesting. There were Republicans pushing back on me and are pushing back on her. I was traumatized by what was happening in Ferguson and Trump’s remarks about ‘good people on both sides.’ Having been tear-gassed multiple times; watching grown men cry…that was a moment where I was moved. But when Congresswoman Bush made her comments about Israel or Hamas or whatever she was talking about…that’s not the community…it’s not the 1st Congressional District. I just believe you have to attend to the district’s needs first.
STL American: Your opponent, Bell, has admitted that he’s received funds from pro-Israel groups like AIPAC. Have you?
Chappelle-Nadal: No, I’ve gotten money from the Jewish community but not from AIPAC.
STL American: I guess any accusations-like some aimed at Bell-that you are another political opportunist taking advantage of a vulnerable incumbent are mute because you’re not supported by groups like AIPAC?
Chappelle-Nadal: That’s a complex question. I would say that Bell is definitely an opportunist because he leveraged a terrible incident for political gain. And I totally disagree with what Bush said during that time because we not only have a large Jewish community here, but we have people struggling every single day who want someone to address their needs.
So, no, this is not opportunism. I’m not getting anything from being the third person in line running for the seat with no money. No, they are just weak candidates. She (Bush) does not know her job and Wesley does not do his job. I’m running because I believe there should be a third voice. Nobody owns that seat.
STL American: Correct me if I’m wrong but when you keep saying the race needs another voice. I don’t hear confidence that you’re going to win.
Chappelle-Nadal: You know what, I’m confident in the work I’ve accomplished. This is a hard race and I’m not going to pretend it’s easy but what I’m confident about is my demonstration of the commitment I’ve shown over the course of 20 years of service.
STL American: If you win Bush’s seat, what will be your contributions to resolving the Israeli/Palestine conflict?
Chappelle-Nadal: First, free the hostages. That’s necessary. And after going to Israel in, I think 2009, I’ve always been a big believer in a two-state solution. I was in Gaza and many of the cities that are bombarded with violence at this time. I can’t imagine all the people I’ve known or live in Israel who are under attack. So, I’d say free the hostages, negotiate a ceasefire then work toward a two-state solution.
STL American: That’s not very popular with AIPAC or Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Chappelle-Nadal: It’s not, but that’s the middle ground that’s been supported under Democratic and Republican presidents. What Hamas is doing is absolutely insane and a lot of people have been hurt by what happened last year.
STL American: What about the reported 37,000 Palestinians-mostly women and children-who’ve been killed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack?
Chappelle-Nadal: None of us want to see devastation like that but Hamas started it. Hamas put Palestinians in that dangerous position. The violence toward Palestinians has been because of Hamas.
STL American: If you’re elected, which Democratic clique do you think you’ll fit in…progressives-the Squad, moderate or something else?
Chappelle-Nadal: I’ll be a voice for the 1st Congressional District…period. I’ve always been an independent progressive. I try not to align myself with cliques because you have to always put your district first. I’m not going to compromise my district for a clique…I will never do that.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
