Washington’s longest-serving Speaker of the House leaves behind a legacy of leadership, resilience, and determination to put people first
OLYMPIA – Washington state’s longest-serving Speaker of the House passed away today, leaving a legacy that is unlikely to be matched. Frank Chopp led the state House, first as co-speaker in 1999, then as the solo wielder of the gavel from 2002 until 2019 when he chose to step down to focus on affordable housing, social and economic justice, and health care for all, especially for those struggling with behavioral health challenges.
“Frank’s leadership, spirit of service, and commitment to the people of Washington strengthened and transformed our state in so many ways, creating an enduring legacy of opportunity and hope across our state,” said Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). “In his two decades as Speaker of the House, he worked tirelessly to get good policies passed and the list of legislative accomplishments during his tenure is enormous. I feel incredibly fortunate to have served under his leadership and am forever inspired by his dedication to the work of the People’s House. All who knew him are reeling from the news of his loss. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Nancy, and to his family, to whom he was so dedicated.”
Chopp was a tireless advocate for affordable housing, taking the issue on first as a community organizer, and continuing his mission when he entered the House in 1994. In addition to co-founding the Seattle Tenants Union and the Low Income Housing Institute, his accomplishments include co-founding the state Housing Trust Fund, which invests in affordable, non-profit housing across the state. He also led the effort to create the Home and Hope Project, which acquires public properties to build affordable housing across Seattle.
One of Chopp’s greatest legislative accomplishments, and most impactful, was Apple Health for Kids. Apple Health provides free or low-cost, single-payer healthcare to children and now serves more than half of Washington’s kids – regardless of immigration status. Prior to Apple Health, over 80,000 Washington children were uninsured. Now, over 886,000 children are enrolled in the program.
“Speaker Frank Chopp dedicated his life not just to the House of Representatives, but to serving others. As an organizer and a lawmaker, a father and a friend. He truly believed in the idea of One Washington, and spent just as much time with people like me from King County as lawmakers from Spokane or Aberdeen or Walla Walla—because that mattered to him. The whole state. Maybe that’s why walls of the Legislature have photos of every speaker, switching every two years since Washington became a state in 1889—until Frank Chopp started holding the gavel one hundred years later. I began serving with him after the 2004 election, and part of me will always have his voice in my ear, pushing me to do whatever it takes to help the people in every corner of this state,” said Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland).
Under Chopp’s leadership, Washington led on pressing issues at home and nationally. In 2012, Washington state become one of just three states to enact same-sex marriage by a vote of the people. Just two years later, the REAL Hope Act, also known as the Dream Act, was signed into law. This crucial legislation expanded access to the State Need Grant (now the Washington College Grant) to eligible non-citizens. The dream of higher education for all continued under Chopp’s leadership with the passage of the Workforce Education Investment Act in 2019, creating the country’s best free college program.
Despite his many achievements, it was his mentorship that many remember.
“Frank Chopp was a giant among us, who led with humility and an unparalleled drive to improve circumstances for our neighbors with the greatest struggles,” said Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle), Chopp’s former seatmate. “Before he was speaker, before he was a representative, Frank was a fighter for homes for all. He never gave up that dream and his unwillingness to accept defeat made our caucus stronger. I’m grateful to have had his mentorship and his friendship. He taught me how to be a better lawmaker and to play the long game. He modeled the importance of celebrating our progress and being grateful to those working alongside us. That was Frank’s gift: He knew that if you worked hard and never stopped, you will eventually win. Thank you, Frank.”
After stepping down from the speakership, Chopp continued to focus on his core passions of housing and social and economic justice. Partnering with Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), Chopp worked to address the historic wrongs of housing discrimination through the passage of the Covenant Homeownership Program.
“After he left the speakership, Frank dug in to help make homeownership a reality. As Speaker, he was mythical. As my colleague, he was inspiring. Together, we worked on the Covenant Homeownership Program and his doggedness and attention to every detail made that program work. People who have been impacted by discrimination now have a path toward owning their own home and Frank’s name will forever be a crucial part of that,” said Rep. Taylor.
Chopp often talked about his sister and her struggles with behavioral health and how proud he was of her when she testified in front of the Senate health care committee on behavioral health funding parity. Because of that love, he had the vision to not only ensure there were facilities to treat people in need but for a new facility to train the next generation of behavioral health professionals. It was that vision that resulted in Chopp leading the charge to build the UW Behavioral Health teaching facility. Chopp’s belief that housing was a direct indicator of overall health led him to seek new ways to fund housing for those struggling with behavioral health, creating the Apple Health and Homes program to combine agency efforts to help house people in need.
Chopp continued his work until 2024, when he announced he would retire after 30 years of service in the State House of Representatives. He was succeeded by Rep. Shaun Scott (D-Seattle), who called Chopp a mentor and a friend.
“Washington’s progressive community mourns the loss of speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, one of the most impactful politicians in our state’s history. Many know Frank as the stalwart organizer; he championed the law that permitted academic student employees at the University of Washington to collectively bargain, prevented the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from falling into private hands, and led the coalition behind the visionary Covenant Homeownership Act that redressed our state’s long history of residential segregation,” said Rep. Scott. “Frank helped make college free for thousands of low-income Washingtonians via the Workforce Education Investment Act and was responsible for dozens of deeply affordable housing units throughout our state. I knew Frank as a mentor and friend. Though he will be sorely missed, his memory will live on through his family, friends and the wide network of Washingtonians dedicated to public service whose lives he impacted indelibly for the better.”
Throughout his career, whether as a student leader, community organizer, rank-and-file House member, or Speaker of the House, Chopp never stopped fighting for Washingtonians. He believed in the idea of One Washington, and that by putting everyday people first, government can do good work that improves lives.
Washington House Democrats thank their leader, their mentor, and their friend for his decades of service. All Washingtonians are better off because of Frank Chopp’s leadership and determination ensuring everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
Thank you, Frank.