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Days takes a side in 14th District -- backs Chappelle-Nadal

State Sen. Rita Days, D-Bel Nor, is no longer neutral in the 14th District contest to select her successor. Days said today that she has endorsed state Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City.

Chappelle-Nadal is competing against three other well-known Democrats: state Reps. Don Calloway of Bel Nor, Ted Hoskins of Berkeley and former University City Mayor Joe Adams.

Days cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

Days said today she has recorded a robo-call for Chappelle-Nadal and is featured in a new mailer going out to voters.

Days, who had said earlier that she planned to remain neutral, said in an interview that she changed her mind. "I looked at all the candidates in the field, and decided that Maria is the most sincere," Days said.

Days said that Chappelle-Nadal shared her support for proper state funding of public education. Days said she also was concerned that two of the candidates -- Calloway and Hoskins -- have received money from a group with ties to wealthy financier Rex Sinquefield, who has advocated alternatives for children in troubled school districts, including tax breaks or private-school vouchers.

Days' decision comes after her fellow retiring colleague, state Sen. Joan Bray, D-University City, endorsed Adams. Bray is featured in his latest mailer.

Jo Mannies is a freelance journalist and former political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio.