Frank Chopp
| Frank Chopp | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives | |
|
Assumed office January 3, 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Clyde Ballard |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 43rd district |
|
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Assumed office January 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Pat Thibaudeau |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 13, 1953 Bremerton, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Long |
| Alma mater | University of Washington, Seattle |
Frank Chopp (born May 13, 1953) is a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 43rd district since 1995. He is the current Speaker of the House. His district covers the neighborhoods of Fremont, Wallingford, the University District and Madison Park, all in Seattle.
Frank Chopp was born on May 13, 1953 in Bremerton, Washington. While still in high school in Bremerton, Chopp led a protest against the local Elks Club's refusal to allow black members. As a student at the University of Washington, he organized efforts to preserve low income housing in Seattle. He graduated from UW in 1975Magna cum laude. He is married to Nancy Long and has two children.
Frank Chopp's early career focused on social services and education. After graduating at UW, Chopp became the Director, Cascade Community Center. In 1976, he became the manager of the North Community Service Center, Seattle Dept. of Human Resources. Then he spent two years as the Administrative Director of the Pike Market Senior Center. He came back to the North Community Service Center in 1981 as a manager for two more years. In 1983, Chopp became the longtime executive director of the Fremont Public Association (now known as Solid Ground), and later served as President of the organization. Since 2006, he has served as a Senior Advisor to Solid Ground.
In 1992-1995, he held a part-time lecturer position at the University of Washington Graduate School of Public Affairs.
Chopp was first elected to the House in 1994, and has been Speaker of the House since 2002, having been a co-speaker since 1999. After two terms in office, he became House Democratic leader in 1998 From 1999-2002, he served as Co-Speaker of the House, as the Democrats and Republicans had equal numbers of members.
Chopp led the House Democratic Caucus in a successful effort to retake the majority after losing nearly thirty seats in the 1994 election. After two terms in office, he became House Democratic leader in 1998. In his first term as Democratic Leader, he led the Democrats from the minority into a tie, and then three years later, into the majority.
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