State Representative, District -- 43, Position -- 2

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: May 13, 1953

Residence: 4209 Sunnyside North, Seattle, WA 98103

Education: University of Washington, BA Degree

Political offices held: State Representative, 1995 - present.
Speaker of the state House of Representatives.

Public service and volunteer experience: Over 20 years at the Fremont Public Association, a non-profit social service agency (formerly serving as Executive Director, now serving as President).
Over 25 years of volunteer experience in a long list of organizations involving a diverse array of issues and projects, including human services, housing, transportation, community organizing, and social justice.

Endorsements: Rated "outstanding" by the Municipal League. Endorsed by a long list of organizations, including the Children's Campaign Fund, Washington State Nurses Association, King County Labor Council, Washington Conservation Voters, Washington State Farm Bureau, Public School Employees of Washington, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, and many more.

Campaign theme: Building a better economy for our state, by investing in education, making health care more affordable and accessible, and helping create jobs.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? About 30 years of experience in service to the community. About 10 years of experience in public office.

What are your highest priorities for state government? If you had to close the projected $1 billion gap between state government revenues and expenses, how would you do it? My priorities are education and health care. With a budget gap, we must first look at how government can be better organized to save money, without cutting critical services for people with disabilities, the poor, and our youth. Next, we should consider additional revenue, done in a way that will benefit the economy. For example, investments in education will not only help our young people, but will also pay dividends in creating a growing economy.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? Yes. It is important to pay for investments in education, particularly those already endorsed by the people, for example Initiative 728 which mandated lower class sizes in our schools. We must also make room at community colleges and universities for our growing population, which has increased by over 40% during the past 20 years.

Are you happy with Washington's new primary? Are you supporting the initiative that would give Washington a "top 2" primary system that the parties oppose? No. I much preferred our previous type of primary election, which gave the voters more choices among candidates. Similarly, I oppose the "top two" primary election proposal, because it too will limit the choices for voters in the general election.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I oppose it for many reasons. For example, it would greatly expand gambling while draining money away from our state to out-of-state owners of casinos.

Contact

1414 Dexter Avenue North, #210
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 291-5296
frank@frankchopp.com

Campaign Web site:
www.frankchopp.com