Frank Vana Chopp (born May 13, 1953) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 43rd district since 1995. His district covers the neighborhoods of Montlake, Fremont, Wallingford, the University District, Madison Park, and part of Capitol Hill, all of which are in Seattle. Chopp served as Speaker of the House from 2002 to 2019. Biography Frank Chopp was born on May 13, 1953 in Bremerton, Washington. His father was a coal miner who moved to the shipyards and found employment as a union electrical worker and his mother, Anne, worked in a school cafeteria. He attended East High School in Bremerton and graduated top of his class in 1971. While still in high school, Chopp led a protest against the Elks Club's refusal to allow black members. He later attended the University of Washington, graduating magna cum laude in 1975. As a student at the University of Washington, he organized efforts to preserve low-income housing in Seattle. To protest the demolition of low-incoming housing, Chopp lived in a geodesic dome situated in a parking lot in South Lake Union. He is married to Nancy Long and has two children. He lives in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Early career After graduating from the University of Washington, Chopp began his career as a community organizer focused on social services and education. From 1976–1983, Chopp held various managing and directorial positions for the Cascade Community Center, the Pike Market Senior Center, and the North Community Service Center before becoming executive director of the Fremont Public Association, now known as Solid Ground, in 1983. As executive director of the FPA, Chopp promoted services such as an emergency food bank, a clothing bank, and an employment program. Chopp later served as the organization's president, and has served as senior advisor since 2006. Chopp has been involved with a number of groups, service agencies, and programs including the Coalition for Survival Services, King County Housing Opportunity Fund, Cascade Shelter Project, the Food Resources Network, the Workers Center, Lettuce Link, Community Voice Mail, the Sand Point Community Housing Association, PortJOBS, the Committee for Economic Opportunity, and the Low Income Housing Institute. Chopp co-founded the Seattle Tenant's Union in 1977 and has been involved in efforts to organize three collective bargaining units for office workers, home care workers, and public transit drivers. From 1992–1995, he held