Chappell seeks to bring voice and law experience to State House as state Senate candidate
Matt Chappell, a fourth-generation Portsmouth resident and 2009 graduate of Portsmouth High School, announced Tuesday he's running for the District 11 seat in the state Senate that covers Portsmouth and Bristol.
The seat is currently held by James Seveney, who announced earlier this month he will not seek reelection. Chappell, a Democrat, practices law at his family’s firm, Chappell & Chappell, and serves as a prosecutor for the towns of Tiverton and Portsmouth.
“I’m running for state Senate to bring the East Bay experience and the voice of our community to the State House,” Chappell said in a prepared statement. “In recent years, Senator Seveney has been a sincere and effective voice on the issues that matter most to East Bay residents. As Senator Seveney did during his tenure, I hope to provide accessible representation, strong government oversight and be a leading voice advocating for all members of this community.”
At Portsmouth High, Chappell played hockey, golf and football. He went on to attend Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol. As a third-generation attorney, he is an active member of the Rhode Island Bar and Newport County bar associations.
“Service to community is something that my family holds dear, and its importance was instilled in my three sisters and I from a young age,” said Chappell, whose three sisters Kateri, Kelsi and Molly all live and raise their families in Portsmouth. “My grandfather, father and uncle have dedicated their professional careers to providing Portsmouth and East Bay residents with strong legal representation. They inspired me to choose a similar path after graduating from law school.
"From zoning matters to business issues and prosecuting criminal cases, I believe my legal experience to seek out and provide pragmatic solutions to the issues that face out community will serve me well if elected to the state Senate.”
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Chappell said he hopes to build on the Justice Reinvestment initiatives enacted by the General Assembly to ensure those impacted by mental health disorders receive the aid and treatment needed.
He said he would also work to introduce legislation to preempt any U.S. Supreme Court ruling designed to undermine the rights of protected classes. In 2019, the General Assembly codified Roe v. Wade into state law, which will prove pivotal if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark ruling.
In his statement, Chappell said he enjoys living in the Portsmouth and plans to raise his own family here. He has personally experienced the challenge of finding an affordable home in the East Bay and has seen first-hand the challenges and shortcomings surrounding education, affordable housing and aging in place.
“We need to prioritize legislation that affords all generations the opportunity to buy an affordable home and find decent jobs,” he said. “Too many of my friends from town could not find a good job or an affordable place to live, so they were forced to move elsewhere. Additionally, our senior citizens need more help to age in place and live their lives in their homes. Increasing our housing stock would help keep families together and make it easier to live, work and raise a family in the East Bay.”
Chappell is the second candidate to announce intentions to the run for the seat, joining current Portsmouth Town Council Vice President Linda Ujifusa.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Matt Chappell of Portsmouth RI to run for Senate in District 11
