Senior Nutter aide resigns
Julia Chapman, Mayor Nutter's director of legislative affairs, resigned today effective immediately. Chapman was among Nutter's longest serving and most trusted advisers, serving as the chief of staff of Nutter's council office for 11 years before he was elected mayor.
The press release announcing Chapman's long-rumored departure was distributed after 6 p.m. today. A copy appears below.
PHILADELPHIA, November 13, 2009 — Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that he has accepted the resignation of Ms. Julia Chapman, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Office of the Mayor, effective immediately. Ms. Chapman has served in this position since Mayor Nutter took office in January 2008.
"I have worked side-by-side with Julia for the vast majority of my political career and her advice and support over these years has been invaluable to me personally, and to the City of Philadelphia," said Mayor Nutter. "Julia's hard work, intellect and support have been critical to any legislative success I've experienced for more than a decade. Though I am sad that I will no longer be working with Julia on a day-to-day basis I certainly wish her every success in her future endeavors and thank her for the many years of public service that she has given. I and all Philadelphians owe Julia Chapman a debt of gratitude."
Julia Chapman has over twenty years in public service. Prior to her appointment as Director of Legislative Affairs, Ms. Chapman worked for Mayor Nutter when he was a member of Philadelphia City Council, serving as his Chief of Staff for eleven years. She also worked for State Representative Dwight Evans in the capacity as Legal Counsel to the House Appropriations Democratic Committee. In addition, Ms. Chapman worked for former Mayor Wilson Goode, Sr. in the Office of Policy & Legislative Affairs. Ms. Chapman is an attorney and her first job was as an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, NJ and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics at the University of Illinois.
An announcement regarding a successor for Ms. Chapman will be made in the very near future.
"I am confident that under the stewardship of Tumar Alexander and Stephanie Marsh the duties of the Legislative Affairs Office will continue to be performed effectively until a full-time director is put in place," said Julia Chapman.
Click here for Philly.com's politics page.