ST.
LOUIS - Maria Chappelle Nadal, democratic
candidate for State Representative in the
72nd District, was recently honored as one
of the "Dean Dozen," 12 individuals
nationally recognized by Democracy for America,
an organization established by former democratic
presidential hopeful and Vermont Governor
Howard Dean.
In a released statement,
Dean said that the twelve diverse political
candidates he chose represent the spirit
of grassroots democracy.
"The Dean Dozen represent
some of the bravest candidates in the nation,"
said Dean. "Democracy for America is
proud to support them."
Chappelle-Nadal said she
is humbled to be chosen by Dean, who was
influential in raising the profile of her
campaign as she runs for office as State
Representative in the 72 District, which
includes all of Pagedale and Wellston as
well as most of University City North of
Delmar and West of Skinker.
"As a young person,
I see how important it is to have our voices
heard and taken seriously," said Chappelle-Nadal.
"At the national level the only person
speaking my language of activism has been
Howard Dean."
Prior to running for office,
Chappelle-Nadal was Senior Advocate for
Missouri Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell and previously
held the positions of Director of Communications
and Boards and Commissions. In the Lt. Governor's
office, she helped shepherd through legislation
such as the "Senior Care and Protection
Act of 2003" and the "Missouri
Senior Rx Generic Drug Rebate."
"I am running for
office because I am tired of behind-the-door
deals, code words and bureaucrats - those
who leave the idealism and hope for the
future behind," said Chappelle-Nadal.
A native of University
City, Chappelle-Nadal has actively fought
for economic development and volunteerism
in the St. Louis area through organizations
such as the University City Community Forum
and the Missouri Community Service Commission.
In 2002, Chappelle-Nadal was one of sixteen
national fellows chosen by the National
Organization for Black Elected Legislative/Women
(NOBEL/Women) and the Center for American
Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University.
"I am one sister
who is not going to sell out my values or
my principles for a tray of crumbs or hollow
promises," said Chappelle-Nadal. "This
race is about ordinary people who have been
ignored for far too long and are often not
engaged in the democratic process. I'd like
to be a catalyst to change that reality."
The priorities Chappelle-Nadal
will address in her campaign and if elected
include:
* Working for excellence
in education by supporting a long-term strategic
plan to adequately fund Education rather
than band aid funding policies.
* Improving our economy
by fighting for job development and training,
and by promoting business development;
* Supporting small business
by working to curb the rising cost of healthcare
insurance, and by promoting flexible loan
and grant programs;
* Fighting for the civil
rights of all Missourians by working for
social and economic justice for minorities,
women, and gay and lesbian community.
* Improving health care
by sending more state dollars to seniors
and people with disabilities to improve
their quality of life within their own homes
and by working to educate citizens on available
health care resources.
For more information about
Democracy for America, you may call Walker
Waugh at (802) 651-3200 or visit www.democracyforamerica.com/features/2004/05/12/the_dean_dozen.php.
For information on Maria Chappelle-Nadal's
campaign, visit www.maria2004.com.
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