My Story

TL;DR

Who is David Chappell?

  • Born and Raised in Mesa, AZ

  • Birth Name: David Russell Shill

  • Moved to Provo 8 years ago for college, chose to stay.

  • Progressive Independent, Democratic Nominee for Utah House District 62

Education History

  • Graduated from Heritage Academy

  • Graduated from BYU Provo

    BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering

  • Certified Sustainability Professional

  • Passed Professional Engineer Licensure Exam

Work History

  • Summer Camp Commissioner

  • Concrete Laborer

  • Behavioral Health Technician

  • Middle School Mathematics Teacher

  • Geomatics and Survey Instructor

  • Earthquake Researcher

  • Civil Engineer (current)

Map of Phoenix, Arizona with a highlighted area labeled "Lehi, AZ" showing satellite imagery of the town.
Four children sitting on the blade of a large construction bulldozer in an outdoor area with dirt and a house in the background.
Young boy in a red shirt sitting and smiling in front of a sign that reads 'The 1st Annual David's Talent Show,' with framed photographs and decorations in a living room.
A young boy climbing or standing on a red rock formation in a desert setting.
Young boy in a blue shirt using a yellow power drill on a concrete surface outside a garage.
Young boy sitting at a table with a tall tower made of white dominoes, showing muscle gesture with his arm.
Two young girls smiling and sitting on a dark brown horse during sunset, with a field and power lines in the background.
A young boy with blonde hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera in a kitchen.
A boy and a girl sitting outdoors on hay bales, with a barn-like building in the background. The boy has a lollipop in his mouth, and the girl looks pensive.
A smiling young boy with light brown hair, holding a wooden plank, with colorful hanging paper lanterns of different colors and patterns hanging from the ceiling in the background.
Close-up of a boy with wide eyes, open mouth showing missing front teeth, excited expression, indoor setting with dark background and some furniture.
A young boy riding a mechanical bull at an outdoor event during dusk, with a crowd of people and American flags visible in the background.

Childhood

I was born David Russell Shill as the youngest of four kids. I grew up in Lehi, a rural community in Mesa, Arizona, sandwiched between the suburbs of Phoenix and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

I learned a lot by taking care of chickens, horses, cows, and other animals. My upbringing taught me responsibility, hard work, empathy, and that anything is figure-out-able.

I was very independent as a child. I spent hours building things, reading encyclopedias, or exploring my space books. I loved figuring things out on my own, and that curiosity and self-reliance have stayed with me. 

I grew up near communities where people struggled financially, and I got to spend a lot of time with them. One of my best friends came from a poorer upbringing, and I loved spending time at his house. His mom, a teacher, lived life with humor and joy. From them, I learned that life isn't fair, especially for poor people. 

Growing up, I noticed unfairness. Some neighbors were shunned simply for being different or poor. People told me not to be friends with them, but I didn’t listen; I knew judging someone based on gossip wasn’t right. I also experienced deeply unfair things in my own life, including sexual abuse. That taught me firsthand the inadequacies of systems that should protect vulnerable people and hold wrongdoers accountable. 

Group of six people, wearing swim caps and goggles, posing underwater in a swimming pool, making playful gestures.
Four people stand in front of a large mural of a child's face inside a room with a blue wall. The mural features a boy with a bright smile and clenched fists. The four people are flexing their arms, mimicking the pose of the boy in the mural. There is a table with equipment and a sign with the number 6 hanging above them. Part of a quote from Psalms about the thirsty and the hungry is visible on the wall.
A young man smiling in front of the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. on a rainy day.
Young man in a yellow t-shirt sitting cross-legged on a concrete slab, smiling, with a engraved message on the slab that includes the words 'HERE IS' and a hashtag with the number 20. The background includes dirt, rocks, and some wooden logs.
A young man in a suit leaning against a stone wall, looking to the side with a serious expression.
Young man taking a selfie on a hilltop with green trees and hills in the background, wearing sunglasses and a gray t-shirt, smiling and making a shaka hand sign under a partly cloudy sky.
Two teenagers making peace signs pose in front of a building entrance. The male is wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, a striped tie, and an identification badge. The female has blonde hair, is smiling, and is wearing a floral dress with a brown belt.
A black and white photo of a young couple sitting on a romantic bench beneath a decorative illuminated gazebo at night, surrounded by trees and plants.
A group of young men in historical costumes on stage, some holding rifles, engaged in a theatrical performance with a background of cluttered furniture and props.
A young man in a Boy Scout uniform stands on a dirt roadside next to a large Welcome to Wyoming sign with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A young male student in a science classroom holds a small object on a stick, looking intently at it with a focused expression. In the background, there are educational posters and other students wearing white lab coats.
Four people standing in front of a colorful graffiti mural on a wall, with two cars parked on either side of the parking space.

Adolescence

I attended Heritage Academy from 7th to 12th grade, where I was fortunate to participate in a million different extracurriculars, including: choir, drama, student government, musicals, ballroom, football, basketball, and swim team. In addition to the arts,
my school prioritized teaching about the founders, American history, the Constitution, and general civics. I'm grateful to have this strong foundation, and I can thank my high school experience for my interest in politics and participating in democracy.

Two teenagers stand outdoors on a city sidewalk, making peace signs with their hands and smiling. One is tall with short hair, wearing a black t-shirt, plaid pants, and a white cap worn backward. The other is shorter with long hair, wearing a gray t-shirt, gray sweatpants, and a black cap worn backward.
A theatrical scene with two actors, a woman in pink and a man in a patterned robe, fighting over a plush toy owl on stage.
Three people at a night market or fair posing in artistic poses. The young man in the center is standing on one leg with arms raised, wearing a blue graphic T-shirt. The girl on the left, in a gray T-shirt and denim shorts, is balanced on one leg with her hands in expressive gestures. The girl on the right, in a tie-dye T-shirt, is standing on one leg with arms raised and outstretched, wearing black pants and sneakers.
Two young men in casual clothing standing close together, making peace signs with their hands, and leaning against a wall indoors.
A young man with light skin and short light brown hair holding a large, spiky pufferfish with a hole in its face. He is making a surprised face with his lips pursed and eyes wide open. He is wearing a black hoodie and is inside a room with wooden wall paneling.
Two young men are hugging outdoors in a warm embrace, smiling. One is wearing a blue and white striped short-sleeve shirt, and the other has darker hair and is wearing a patterned shirt. The background shows a house and trees with some yellow leaves, indicating a fall setting.
Photograph of two young people smiling, one holding a ukulele, in a close embrace, against a plain background.
Group of young people smiling and posing for a selfie in a living room with a tray of fried snacks, possibly chicken nuggets or hush puppies, and a television in the background.
A young man with light skin and short brown hair is smiling and showing his teeth. The photo is taken from below, capturing his forehead, eyes, and part of his face. The background features a peach-colored wall with a street sign that reads 'Corso San Maurizio' and a metal pole on the left side.
A young man dressed in a white shirt and a tie sitting on a rusty bicycle with a rear rack, leaning against a brown wall, with his arms resting on the handlebars and looking to his left.
A smiling young man and a young woman, both dressed in tie-dye shirts, stand outdoors in front of a blue and white tent at a festival or outdoor event. The woman is wearing a matching rainbow tie-dye face mask, and the man has a name tag that reads 'David'.
A group of six young people standing indoors at a conference or event, smiling at the camera, with booths, posters, and other attendees visible in the background.
Two young men taking a selfie outdoors with a clear blue sky and a sports net in the background.
Young man with blue eyes and short brown hair taking a selfie next to a white sculpture of a face, indoors with beige walls and ceiling light.
Group of people taking a selfie in front of a lit building at night.
Two young men smiling outdoors at sunset in a scenic landscape with houses, trees, and rolling hills in the background.
Three people on a narrow, rocky cliff edge with lush green mountains in the background, one taking a selfie with a long selfie stick, a person standing below looking up.
A young man with light skin, blue eyes, and brown hair tied in a bun on top of his head. He is resting his chin on his hand and looking at the camera with a thoughtful expression. The background features a forest scene with tall evergreen trees and a misty atmosphere.

Early         

Adulthood

After High School, I served a volunteer mission for the LDS church in Northern Italy. My time in Italy was very difficult, but ultimately changed me for the better. I became much more open-minded, accepting, and self-reliant. Again, I saw people struggling every day and did my best to help them.

Afterward, I moved to Provo to go to BYU, where I worked part-time to put myself through school full-time; I lived in poverty just to survive. I lived in tiny, overcrowded housing, skipped meals, and watched friends take gap years or even join the military just to make it through. I had no time to think about anything beyond survival.

I began providing for myself, and with no real experience, the only job I could get was near minimum wage doing clerical work for a small law firm. My life became about moving money from my boss to my landlord. I was severely underpaid and overworked, living paycheck to paycheck, and for every dollar made, I made ten for my boss. It became apparent to me that the "American dream" was just a dream for most of us.

A smiling young man with light brown hair, wearing a Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, standing outdoors near a body of water. He has a white flower tucked behind his left ear. In the background, there is a large palm tree, some informational plaques, a grassy area, and a cloudy sky.
A young man standing outdoors in front of a traditional Japanese building with red and gold details, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Young man with short brown hair smiling, with white powder on his nose, in a room with a window and cream-colored walls.
A young man with brown hair making a surprised face, standing in front of a mural of 'The Last Supper' on a wall. The mural depicts Jesus and his disciples at a long table.
Two young men standing outside in front of a brick wall, smiling and pointing at each other, wearing matching T-shirts with a moon and wolf design, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
A young man with glasses and a green hat smiling, holding a flyer against a blue sky with some clouds.
A young man with light skin, short brown hair, and glasses takes a selfie outdoors during daytime. He is wearing a black shirt and a high-visibility safety vest with bright yellow and orange reflective stripes. Behind him, there is a gray stone wall, rocky terrain with patches of snow, and cloudy sky with the sun partially visible.
Two young men are taking a selfie outdoors with a scenic mountain landscape in the background. One wears large, fashionable glasses and a denim jacket with a tie, while the other has long hair, a beard, and is dressed in a striped shirt.
A young man with curly, light brown and blonde hair leaning back in a kitchen, playing cards spread out on a table with a floral tablecloth. There are poker chips and soda cans on the table, and a black dish rack with dishes on the kitchen counter.
A young man with short, dark hair and earrings, smiling and holding a large tray of shredded cheese in a kitchen, standing near an oven.
Person taking a photo of themselves in a mirror, holding a camera, with a happy expression, in a room with plants and various objects in the background.
Smiling young man with brown hair and earrings near a backyard swimming pool, wearing a tie-dye shirt and towel.
A person crouching on a dirt surface in a barren, rocky outdoor area with a mound of earth in the background. There are small tools and a white bucket placed on the ground nearby.
Group of four young people smiling, standing in front of a brown board with a sign reading 'Phase 1 Kickoff Meeting' for a political campaign for David Utah in House District 62, with a woman with red hair and two men with light brown hair and another with dark hair wearing a Black Marley T-shirt.
Group of four young people smiling, standing in front of a brown board with a sign reading 'Phase 1 Kickoff Meeting' for a political campaign for David Utah in House District 62, with a woman with red hair and two men with light brown hair and another with dark hair wearing a Black Marley T-shirt.
A young man with blond hair, blue eyes, and light skin taking a selfie outdoors. He is pointing to red and yellow autumn leaves on the ground and surrounded by trees with fall foliage. He is wearing a maroon T-shirt, beige shorts, and sandals.
A young man with glasses and a wolf graphic t-shirt standing at a train station sunset backdrop with mountains, train tracks, and a lit street lamp.

Professional

Career           

Eventually, I made it. After college, I was lucky to land a solid job that gave me enough stability to stay in Utah and, after years of saving, buy a home with my partner here in Provo.

But life quickly revealed how fragile that stability really is. Losing my job would sink us. One accident and we're back in poverty.

Healthcare costs are a constant worry. When my partner was injured in an accident, medical bills piled up despite his “good” insurance.

My daily commute exposed me to the failings in Utah’s transportation system. FrontRunner delays left me stranded in the cold, and the I-15 gets so congested that a drive home can take an hour. Infrastructure simply hasn’t kept pace with how fast our communities have grown.

Inside a car looking through the windshield at a highway with a Jeep driving ahead, surrounded by desert landscape with rocky formations.
Two young men at a pumpkin stand during a fall festival, one holding a large pumpkin above his head, both smiling and wearing summer clothes.
A young man standing outdoors near a brick building with mountains in the background during dusk. He is smiling and wearing a gray T-shirt with green text, and has a camera hanging around his neck.
A young man standing outdoors near a brick building with mountains in the background during dusk. He is smiling and wearing a gray T-shirt with green text, and has a camera hanging around his neck.
A young man smiling in a large, ornate hall with arched ceilings and a crowd of people in the background. He is dressed in a NASA shirt and a gray CAT jacket.

Why am I telling you all this?

•

Why am I telling you all this? •

Childhood lessons, survival struggles, witnessing inequity, navigating the system, it all shaped my values and who I am. Once I got out of survival mode, I knew I couldn’t just move on and forget about it. I had to do something to make sure others don’t have to struggle the way I did. That’s why I decided to run: to fight for policies that make housing affordable, healthcare accessible, education attainable, infrastructure reliable, and opportunities available to everyone, no matter their circumstances. I want to be a voice for the people who are struggling to survive and give them a real shot at thriving.