Longtime Washington lawmaker Frank Chopp won’t seek reelection

OLYMPIA — State Rep. Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, a monumental figure in state politics and Washington’s longest-serving House speaker, won’t seek reelection to his seat representing the 43rd Legislative District after three decades in the state House, he announced Wednesday.

Chopp, 70, was first elected in 1994 and began serving as co-speaker in 1999, when the House was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

Once Democrats took control of the majority in 2002, Chopp continued as speaker through the 2019 session. When he announced he’d be stepping down as speaker, he was the second-longest-serving statehouse speaker in the country, behind Rep. Michael Madigan of Illinois.

In a statement Wednesday, Chopp said he had been “energized” by his work “to expand health care, fund education, create nonprofit housing, make our economy more fair, help workers organize, protect our air and water, and invest in critical infrastructure.” He touted his legislative work on housing, behavioral health care and financial aid for students.

“I am proud to have played a role in helping people throughout Washington gain access to services and support that help them gain independence and realize their dreams,” he said. “As I leave legislative office, I am excited for the next generation of leaders carrying on this work, as I continue to advocate and organize efforts in the public interest as a public citizen. As people know about me, I am not the retiring type.”

In a statement when Chopp stepped down as speaker, Gov. Jay Inslee said “there are few people who work harder and with more heart.”

Chopp’s retirement is part of a spate of departures from the Legislature announced in recent weeks, including those of Sen. Andy Billig of Spokane and former House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox of Yelm.