Matthew Chappell (Virginia)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Matthew Chappell

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 7, 2022

Education

Graduate

American Military University, 2021

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

2008 - 2016

Personal

Birthplace

Eustis, Fla.

Religion

Episcopalian

Profession

National security consultant

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Matthew Chappell (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 11th Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on May 7, 2022.

Chappell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Matthew Chappell was born in Eustis, Florida. He served in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2016. He earned a graduate degree from American Military University in 2021. His career experience includes working as a national security consultant and police officer. Chappell has been affiliated with the NRA and the Republican Party of Virginia.

Elections

2022

See also: Virginia's 11th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 11

Incumbent Gerald Edward Connolly defeated James Myles in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 11 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gerald Edward Connolly (D)	66.7	193,190
		James Myles (R)	33.0	95,634
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	828

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 289,652
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Gerald Edward Connolly advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 11.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dereje Gerawork (D)
• Ally Dalsimer (D)

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for U.S. House Virginia District 11

Select round: Round 4 Round 3 Round 2 Round 1

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: James Myles in round 4 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		James Myles	59.2	959	207	Advanced (4)
		Manga Anantatmula	40.8	661	102	4
		Matthew Chappell	0.0	0	-344	3
		Joe Babb	0.0	0	0	2
	Submit photo	Barbara Banks	0.0	0	0	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		James Myles	45.4	752	71	Advanced (4)
		Manga Anantatmula	33.8	559	29	4
		Matthew Chappell	20.8	344	28	3
		Joe Babb	0.0	0	-138	2
	Submit photo	Barbara Banks	0.0	0	0	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		James Myles	40.9	681	11	Advanced (4)
		Manga Anantatmula	31.8	530	13	4
		Matthew Chappell	19.0	316	7	3
		Joe Babb	8.3	138	9	2
	Submit photo	Barbara Banks	0.0	0	-43	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		James Myles	40.2	670	0	Advanced (4)
		Manga Anantatmula	31.0	517	0	4
		Matthew Chappell	18.5	309	0	3
		Joe Babb	7.7	129	0	2
	Submit photo	Barbara Banks	2.6	43	0	1

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,668
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Matthew Chappell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chappell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a disabled Veteran and former police officer. I grew up in a home plagued by domestic violence. I support the Constitution and rights of all Americans to be free from government overreach.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I will fight to preserve our Constitution. The Constitution is under attack every single day from the radical left. I will be a voice for the people. I will protect our rights.
• I support Veterans and all people suffering form mental health issues. I will fight to fix the broken VA system and to give my fellow Veterans the help they deserve.
• I will protect our children. Our children and parents are under attack by the radical left. Children are being exposed to pedophilia and other lude materials in school. I will not allow these efforts to separate parents from education to continue. Parents deserve to always have a say in their child's education.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about preserving the Constitution, supporting the police, lowering taxes, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, Veteran's health reform, mental health, and education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my mother more than anyone. She raised me and my sister in her loving embrace while she suffered daily from severe domestic violence. My mom freed us from that life and showed me what a real fighter looks like. I will always fight to protect women like my mom who suffer in silent.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

N/A

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected officials should remember they are representatives of the people, not rulers. Elected officials should be selfless and familiar with sacrifice. They should be honest and unbiased.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a fighter. I am a proven leader who makes decisions without bias. I have a proven record of service to our nation. I have experienced the mental health struggles my fellow Veterans are experiencing. I have experienced the struggles our middle-class goes through on a daily basis. I will bring these experiences and empathy to the House and serve the people as an elected official should.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The number one responsibility is to be the voice of the people. Protect the Constitution and the people it protects. Elected officials should ensure they are setting the country up for a successful future.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my future grandchildren to know that everything I fought for in Congress was with their future and the future of all generations to come in mind.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

9/11. I was 10 years old when the towers fell. I remember thinking to myself I would join the military one day to avenge our people. 9/11 was the catalyst to my successful military career and multiple deployments abroad.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Currently Wounding Warriors by Daniel Gade, PhD. This book provides great insight into the failures of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Luke Skywalker.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Whitney Houston - Bring Me a Higher Love. My wife has been on a Whitney Houston kick lately.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I experienced several traumatic experiences as a child growing up in a home plagued by domestic violence. I went on to experience much more trauma as a Soldier and police officer. Several of my personal friends were unable to overcome similar circumstances and unfortunately took their own lives. These experiences have led to my passion in fighting for Veterans, women, and all people experiencing similar struggles.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House has the unique power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The Great Power Struggle, particularly with China, is without a doubt our greatest struggle for the foreseeable future. We must stay strong and promote an America first agenda. Mental health is right there as well. We are experiencing a mental health crisis in America that needs to be addressed before it spirals out of control.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

House Intelligence Committee and House Armed Services Committee.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No, I believe representatives should be elected to four year terms. Two year terms tend to have representatives focused on re-election as opposed to the issues they should be focused on.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I fully support term limits. No person should be able to make a career and fortune out of public office. The fact is people grow out of touch with the realities of the hard working Americans they are supposed to represent.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Senator Rand Paul and Governor Ron DeSantis are my political role models.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I recently sat with several Afghan refugees who told the story of the final collapse of Afghanistan and their struggles since those fateful days. This is my inspiration for running for Congress.

Tell us your favorite joke.

The Earth is flat. The Earth is 70% water and none of it is carbonated.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Marriage teaches you that there is often room for compromise. A representative of the people is meant to represent all people, not just those in their party. Certain areas such as protecting the Constitutional rights of Americans are not open to compromise. "Shall not be infringed..."

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I am fiscally conservative and would bring that mindset to the House.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2022 Elections

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Government

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External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Virginia District 11

Website

Facebook

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Footnotes

[show]

Virginia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tim Kaine (D)

Mark Warner (D)

Representatives

District 1

Rob Wittman (R)

District 2

Jennifer Kiggans (R)

District 3

Bobby Scott (D)

District 4

Jennifer McClellan (D)

District 5

John McGuire (R)

District 6

Benjamin Lee Cline (R)

District 7

Eugene Vindman (D)

District 8

Donald Sternoff Beyer (D)

District 9

H. Morgan Griffith (R)

District 10

Suhas Subramanyam (D)

District 11

James Walkinshaw (D)

Democratic Party (8)

Republican Party (5)