Meet Frank
Dear friends,
My wife Nancy and I are long-time citizen activists. We have always had a passion for our community. Nancy serves as the Executive Director of an organization that supports non-profit agencies.
For many years, I served as an Executive Director of the Fremont Public Association (now known as Solid Ground), helping tens of thousands of low-income people every year. I also served as Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives, where I led the longest Democratic majority in state history. Together, we made historic gains in access to healthcare, funding for transit, investment in public education, and so much more.
As your State Representative, I am working hard to carry out a progressive agenda for the people of our District and Washington State which includes:
- Funding Basic Education
- Promoting Opportunity for All
- Ensuring Health Care for All
- Strengthening the Safety Net
- Providing Affordable Housing
- Standing up for Working People
- Protecting the Environment
With your help, we can enact real progressive change and pass common sense progressive policies for the common good. It has been an honor to serve as your representative and I ask for your continued support.
— Frank Chopp
More about me…
I grew up in a close-knit family in Bremerton, Washington. My parents met on a picket line outside the coal mines in Roslyn, Washington, where my Dad started working at age 12. They grew to hate how the coal companies treated their workers, and after years of strikes, my parents moved to Bremerton. My Dad got a job as a union electrician in the Bremerton Naval Shipyard and my Mom worked in a public school cafeteria.
Throughout my career, I have always against poverty and for working families. After graduating from the University of Washington, I worked as a community organizer fighting for a wide array of human services, health care programs, and affordable housing. These passions led me to serve for many years as Executive Director of the Fremont Public Association (now known as Solid Ground). At these and other non-profit organizations, I was able to help tens of thousands of low-income people every year.
After many years at the Fremont Public Association, I ran for the legislature to advocate for working families and social justice. As Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives, I led the longest Democratic majority in state history. Together, we made historic gains in access to healthcare, passed record investments in education, public transit, and affordable housing, repealed DOMA, and enacted landmark reforms to law enforcement and our state’s anti-discrimination laws.
Affordable Housing
- Co-founded Washington State’s Housing Trust Fund, which has invested over a billion dollars in affordable, non-profit housing across the state, including 100 apartment buildings in and close to the 43rd District.
- Initiated the Home and Hope project, which has acquired over 20 major public properties for building hundreds of units of affordable housing in Seattle.
- Co-founded the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) which has developed thousands of non-profit, rent restricted apartment units.
- Co-founded the Seattle Tenants Union to advocate for and educate renters on their rights.
Survival Services
- Organized and co-chaired the Coalition for Survival Services, an alliance of 50 community health clinics, emergency shelters, and food banks, which acquired millions of dollars for a Survival Services Fund.
- Initiated and oversaw the development of the Food Resources Network to organize public and private support for food banks, including a Baby Boost program which provides new mothers and infants with proper nutrition.
- Expanded and oversaw the operations of the Fremont Food Bank, which served thousands of hungry people each year.
- Co-initiated and operated two shelter programs, the Broadview Emergency Shelter, and the Family Shelter Program, serving over 1000 homeless people each year.
Health and Long-term Care
- Initiated and implemented Apple Health for All Kids, providing free, single-payer healthcare to half of all young people in Washington State (including undocumented kids).
- Passed Cascade Care, the first state-level public option in the nation, to provide an alternative to private health insurance plans.
- Enacted best in the nation legislation for paid family leave and long term care trusts.
- Sponsored and operated an AIDS Home Care Project at the Fremont Public Association, providing assistance to hundreds of people with AIDS in King County.
- Organized the successful $1.4 million grant application (working with the Seattle-King County Health Department) for a Health Care for the Homeless Project.
Combating Climate Change
- Passed the 100% Clean Electricity Mandate – one of the strongest clean energy transition mandates in America.
- Raised taxes on oil companies to increase the clean-up of toxic sites through the Model Toxics Control Act.
- Enacted legislation to strengthen energy codes for buildings to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
- Enacted legislation to ban the use of several toxic chemicals including PFAS and hydrofluorocarbons, two major greenhouse gases.
Racial Justice
- Passed legislation to put Initiative 970 on the ballot, which increased police accountability by making it easier to prosecute police misconduct.
- Enacted legislation to eliminate the use of juvenile detention for non-criminal behavior.
- Enacted the Dream Act and Dream Act 2.0 to provide financial aid to undocumented students, including free college and university tuition.
LGBTQ+ Rights
- Created the first LGBTQ State Commission in 2019 to ensure state government is inclusive and equitable.
- Enacted legislation to help prevent bullying of transgender students in public schools
- Enacted legislation to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination in healthcare plans
- Passed the Reproductive Parity Act to require health insurers to cover reproductive healthcare.
- Enacted legislation to ban so-called “conversion therapy.”
Welfare & Social Services
- Proposed a Community Jobs program to help thousands of welfare recipients find employment at non-profit agencies across Washington.
- Enacted “Breakfast After the Bell” to provide nutritious food for low-income students.
- Provided sponsorship and acquired funding for the state-wide Welfare Reform Coalition, which advocated for the poor at the State Legislature.
- Co-Initiated the Fremont Legal Clinic staffed with volunteer attorneys providing legal counseling free of charge to low-income people.
Organized Labor
- Personally organized three collective bargaining units for office workers, home care workers, and public transit drivers.
- Built a “Green Power-Blue Collar” coalition of environmentalists and electrical workers to pass landmark clean energy legislation.
Transportation
- Authorized the Sound Transit 3 vote, which voters approved to invest $50 billion in new light rail and rapid bus lines across the Puget Sound region.
- Co-initiated and oversaw the operations of Seattle Personal Transit, which provides transportation for hundreds of low-income elderly and people with disabilities.
- Organized opposition to the original, now discredited plan for the West Seattle Freeway in 1974, collecting over 20,000 signatures within a month to refer the issue to the voters, and alerting the public to the enormous costs and corruption involved.
Art and Historic Preservation
- Organized the effort to fund the famous Richard Beyer sculpture, “Waiting for the Interurban,” which has been proclaimed by various media as the most popular public art work in Seattle. Organized several neighborhood art projects including large public murals, “artists-in-residence,” and more in several communities.
- Initiated and organized the community effort which convinced the City of Seattle to officially designate as a historic landmark, the Fremont Building, which laid the groundwork for the privately-financed restoration of the former hotel.
- Co-initiated “Citizens for a Better Seattle,” which gained voter approval for a $25 million property tax levy for the new downtown Seattle Art Museum.
Facebook
We won last night's The Stranger debate with 57% of the audience's vote -- amazing!
I had a great time talking #ClimateAction, #COVIDrelief, & progressive taxation in my Gimli-inspired costume. Not pictured: the axe I use to chopp down barriers to housing & healthcare for all 🪓⚒
Let's keep the momentum going and get out the #vote! Join a text or phonebank: forms.gle/LG4jKMua3A1s1jMt6 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Honored to have OneAmerica Votes's sole endorsement! I'm so proud of our work together, including the #DreamAct and free college & university tuition for DREAMers.
As COVID-19 impacts immigrant communities, I'm working to invest in community childcare providers, expand stimulus for ALL, fund community-based healthcare workers, and provide in immediate rental assistance to keep families in their homes.
To our neighbors who can't receive federal aid: you could be eligible for up to $1000 in stimulus through the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. Spread the word: www.immigrantreliefwa.org/
Washington provides the most stimulus to immigrants in the nation. Just as I lobbied Gov. Inslee for this #DownPayment for relief, I'll lobby my colleagues to fund the full $100 million request by the community. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Well earned
Twitter
Rep. Frank Chopp Follow 280 683
Former director @SolidGround. Speaker Emeritus. Check out my plan to fund #childcare4all, #housing4all, & more with a capital gains tax ↙️
Capital gains excise tax for #childcare & early learning passes the House!! Having the wealthiest .2% pay their fair share for childcare just makes sense! #waleg #FairStart4Kids With partners @NoelFrame @gruberobinson @ChoppRep @ElectMyLinhThai @BalanceTaxCode @WA_CCF
Instagram
electfrankchopp
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electfrankchopp
Oct 27
Honored to be sole endorsed by @oneamericavotes! I’m so proud of our work together — including passing the #DreamAct and free college for DREAMers.
As COVID disproportionately impacts immigrant communities, I’m working to invest in community childcare providers, expand stimulus for ALL, and more.
To our neighbors who can’t receive federal aid: you could receive up to $1000 in stimulus through the WA COVID Immigrant Relief Fund. Click here: https://www.immigrantreliefwa.org/
Washington provides the most stimulus to immigrants in the nation. Just as I lobbied Gov. Inslee for this #DownPayment for immigrant relief, I’ll lobby my colleagues to fund the full $100 million requested by the community. ...
electfrankchopp
Sep 25
Today, nurse practitioners endorse my campaign — along with unions representing 50,000+ frontline healthcare workers. Together, we’ll fight for healthcare for all, no matter your income or zip code.
I’ve passed free, single payer healthcare for all low-income kids. With your help, I’ll expand care to all Washingtonians. ...
electfrankchopp
Sep 8
This #laborday, I’m reflecting on the positive impact #unions have had on working families.
During COVID, unions have fought for much-needed hazard pay and PPE.
To address climate change, we need unions to help facilitate a just transition to the future green economy.
I’ve worked with unions to raise and minimum wage, enact the 100% Clean Electricity Act, and much more. We’ll keep working together to pass COVID relief and more funding for social services.
I’m proud to be the labor candidate in this race, endorsed by unions representing over 500,000 workers in Washington! ...
electfrankchopp
Sep 3
Thrilled to announce the @sierraclubwashingtonstate has endorsed our campaign!
I’ll prioritize an ambitious #climate agenda that builds a fairer economy for us all.
Top of my agenda? Eliminating transportation emissions by electrifying cars & buses, funding public transit, & building transit-oriented, affordable housing. ...
electfrankchopp
Aug 12
Over the past several months, I have personally urged @govinslee to provide unemployment aid (direct cash assistance) to our state’s 220,000 undocumented residents.
I'm thrilled that the governor responded to the undocumented community and created this #downpayment for COVID relief!
It’s critical that our progressive state leaders protect immigrant communities and migrant farmworkers, who have disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 and job loss.
I’ll keep advocating with organizations like @oneamericavotes for more aid for our undocumented residents and to protect programs that benefit #undocumented folks — like the Washington College Grant, which provides free and reduced college tuition to thousands of undocumented students. ...
electfrankchopp
Aug 6
While we face today’s challenges head-on, we must invest in urgent #ClimateAction.
The climate crisis is already affecting communities across our state, and like every other systemic issue, it’s falling hardest on Native, Black, immigrant, and homeless communities.
We must fight against climate change like our lives depend on it and pass legislation to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions.
I’ve worked hard to pass breakthrough climate legislation, including the 100% Clean Electricity Mandate, which puts Washington on the fastest path in the nation to zero-emission electricity.
I call the coalition we assembled to pass the mandate “Green Power—Blue Collar” because we're made up of environmentalists, labor unions, frontline community leaders, and working families.
Next up: electric vehicle mandates, progressive revenue for public transit, and more. I passed 2019 and 2020’s biggest #climate bills in the state legislature, and I’ll do it again in 2021. ...
electfrankchopp
Aug 5
Thank you 43rd district!!
70% of the votes cast in this race are for Democrzatic candidates, and I am pleased with the strong first place showing we have.
In these challenging times voters are clearly responding to the call for progressive leadership that can truly deliver for the priorities of Seattle.
I'm so proud of the coalition of labor, student and education groups, pro-choice and community leaders that have given our campaign this great momentum. I look forward to the general election! ...
electfrankchopp
Jul 28
During a global pandemic and economic crisis, cutting bus service would be a gut punch to thousands of working families who rely on #transit every day.
I will work to repeal or overturn the disastrous I-976, which threatens to cut bus service, end the ORCA Lift program, end free transit passes for high school students, and reduce para-transit service for disabled riders.
We should be investing in bus service, which makes our city more affordable and accessible, not cutting it.
Beyond repealing I-976, we need to allow localities to fund transit with progressive revenue. We shouldn't have to choose between a regressive sales tax and a cut to bus service.
When I voted to authorize the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (#STBD), it included a car tab tax -- a progressive revenue source. Tim Eyman's I-976 cut that tax and left us with sales tax as the only mechanism to fund transit. This is unacceptable.
I have a progressive revenues plan to fund housing, healthcare, public health, childcare, & cash assistance for working families.
I will fight for the same for transit. With more progressives in the legislature than ever before, I know we can get it done. ...
electfrankchopp
Jul 8
I wear a mask to protect the most vulnerable in our community.
Folks without access to housing & healthcare are most at risk during this pandemic — especially our 10,000+ neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. Wear a mask for them. #MaskUpWA ...
electfrankchopp
Jun 28
As #pride month comes to a close, I’m thinking about the incredible progress we’ve made on LGBTQ rights — and I’m reminded of the work we still have to do.
Last year, advocates asked us to ban medical discrimination. I worked with my seatmates Rep. Nicole Macri and Sen. Jamie Pedersen to pass SB 5602 to guarantee access to gender-affirming reproductive healthcare for all Washingtonians.
When advocates asked us to protect transgender students, we passed SB 5689 to ban discrimination based on gender expression in public schools.
And when advocates asked us to improve equity in state government, we established the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
For all our progress, we must do more to protect the most vulnerable in the #lgbtq community — especially trans women.
Last year, Nikki Kuhnhausen was murdered in Vancouver, WA. She was just 17 years old, and she was one of 330 trans people killed worldwide in 2019.
Our work for justice & civil rights is far from over. I promise to listen to the trans community, work with them to develop policies to protect their lives, & fight like hell to get it passed. #transrightsarehumanrights ...
electfrankchopp
Jun 14
Thank you @cmtmosqueda for your support! On affordable housing, expanded childcare, COVID relief, and so many other issues, I’m eager to work together for Seattle’s working families! ...
electfrankchopp
Jun 11
Let’s reinvest police funding in affordable housing and social services! I raised millions of dollars for the future Youth Opportunity Center at Broadway/Pine, which will create 80 apartments for homeless youth. This type of community investment is a much better use of public funds than using toxic chemicals against peaceful protesters #seattleprotest #capitolhillautonomouszone ...
electfrankchopp
Jun 5
I strongly support these reforms, proposed by @girmay, and I pledge to work with community leaders to make them happen. We need WAY more funding for housing, homeless services, and our social safety net. Reducing police funding to pay for these priorities shouldn’t be controversial. ...
electfrankchopp
May 14
I pledge to take #NoFossilFuelMoney. Climate change is the defining issue of our time. I will fight for a Clean Fuel Standard, investments in transit, cleanups for toxic sites, and everything else we need to defeat the climate crisis. Join my campaign to say no to the fossil fuel industry and yes to a livable future for us all. ...