Frank Chopp

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Frank Chopp

Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 43rd district
In office 1995 -

Born	May 13, 1953 (1953-05-13) (age 55) Bremerton, Washington
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Nancy Long
Residence	Wallingford, Washington
Alma mater	University of Washington
Profession	public affairs

Frank Chopp is a Democrat 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.

Born in Bremerton, Washington, Rep. Chopp was the longtime executive director of the Fremont Public Association (now known as Solid Ground) and currently is Solid Ground's President Emeritus. He was first elected to the House in 1994, and has been Speaker of the House since 2001. In the prior session of the Legislature, he was co-speaker of the House, as the Democrats and Republicans had equal numbers of members.

While still in high school in Bremerton, Chopp led a protest against the local Elks Club's refusal to allow black members. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1975, and while in college organized efforts to preserve low income housing in Seattle. He is married with two children.

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[edit] Criticism of NASCAR

Speaker Chopp made headlines on FOX News for remarking that Nascar Champion Richard Petty was "the guy who got picked up for DUI? He's not a member of the House last time I checked." This comment was made after Petty appeared before the House^{[citation needed]} to ask the state for money to build NASCAR track being built in Kitsap County. http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/archives/2007/02/has_nascar_become_a_class_issue.html

Chopp later stated that: "I made a mistake when I talked about Richard Petty," Chopp said referring to an off the cuff comment he made while the race car legend was in town lobbying for NASCAR – Chopp said he heard Petty had once been arrested for DUI, which is not true. "I thought that was stupid and I thought it was inappropriate. I really get down on myself when I think I did something wrong that might have hurt somebody. I had no right saying that…I agonize over that. I think it was wrong what I did." "There others, too," he said without naming them. http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/print.asp?entryID=114377 http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/opinion/03/06/jmenzer.washington.track/index.html In addition to his rejection of NASCAR^{[citation needed]} and the economic benefits it has brought to other areas^{[citation needed]}, Chopp has also displayed a populist blindspot when it comes to the economic benefit of sports teams to an area's economy and culture. Chopp rejected an effort made public In March of 2008 by investors to purchase the NBA team should it become available^{[citation needed]}, but also to fund the refurbishment of Seattle Center without any new taxes^{[citation needed]}. Chopp would not allow discussion of the proposal or its merits either in chambers or on the floor^{[citation needed]}, and would not even read it himself^{[citation needed]}. Chopp and other officials in Olympia said the offer came too late for them to act because they were unaware of it. However, a Seattle Post Intelliigencer investigation found that Chopp had lied.^{[citation needed]} The Post Intelligencer found that emails^{[citation needed]}, face to face meetings, and phone conversations between the investment group and Chopp, Governor Gregoire, and others as far back as December of 2007 had occurred.

[edit] Legislative priorities:

Security - "We all have the right to feel safe at home, work, school and in our communities."
Opportunity - "We must continue our investments in education, provide job retraining to get people back to work, and improve government services to create and expand a competitive climate that is friendly to both workers and business."
Transportation - "Dealing with traffic congestion, moving products to and from markets faster and more efficiently, and improving highway safety will create thousands of new jobs and build upon Washington’s economic strength."