Frank Chopp

Infobox State Representative
name = Frank Chopp




state_house = Washington
state = Washington
district = 43rd
term = 1995 to date
preceded =
succeeded = Incumbent
party = Democrat
date of birth = birth date and age|1953|5|13
place of birth = Bremerton, Washington
date of death =
place of death =
spouse = Nancy Long
profession = Public affairs
religion =
residence = Wallingford, Washington
alma_mater = University of Washington

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.

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 HouseFact|date=September 2008 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 [phttp://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 and the economic benefits it has brought to other areas, 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 2008 by respected local investors to not only purchase the NBA team should it become available, but also to fund the refurbishment of Seattle Center without any new taxes. Chopp would not allow discussion of the proposal or its merits either in chambers or on the floor, and would not even read it himself. 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 Intelligencer investigation found that Chopp had lied. The Post Intelligencer found that emails, face to face meetings, and phone conversations between the investment group and Chopp, Governor Gregoire, and others as far back as December 2007 had occurred.

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."

External links

* [http://www.frankchopp.org/ Rep. Frank Chopp] official campaign website
* [http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/chopp/ Washington State Legislature - Rep. Frank Chopp] official WA House website
* [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=3172 Project Vote Smart - Representative Frank V. Chopp (WA)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Frank Chopp
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=79401 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=69916 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=3562 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=56281 2000] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=55962 1998] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=55579 1996] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=55236 1994] campaign contributions
* [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003146015_chopp23m.html?syndication=rss "Chopp melds strategy, clout as he leads battle for House" , Seattle Times July 23, 2006]
* [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003562086_viaduct08.html "Viaduct surface option eyed" , Seattle Times February 7, 2007]