Conventional wisdom says that house Speaker Frank Chopp, 56 years
old and now in his eighth term in Olympia, is simply unbeatable. Over
the last decade, the guarded moderate from Seattle’s pot-loving,
tree-hugging, gay-snuggling 43rd District has never earned less than 84
percent of the vote in any of his reelection campaigns. He has the
loyalty of a number of liberal politicians who he helped put into
office after taking over as house Speaker in 1998 and engineering the
chamber’s current Democratic supermajority. And yet his biggest source
of power comes from a neat trick he’s managed to pull off: representing
a hard-left constituency that lives in Fremont, Wallingford, Capitol
Hill, Madison Park, and downtown Seattle, while still earning strong
support from conservative business interests such as Wal-Mart and the
Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW).
“Frank Chopp has zero vulnerability in the 43rd,” said Jamie
Pedersen, the district’s other, more recently elected Democratic house
member.
That’s the party line, anyway.
But not very far beneath this aura of invincibility lies a huge
amount of progressive discontent with Chopp’s leadership in Olympia,
and a feeling that he’s more focused on cautiously protecting his
supermajority than on putting that power to use in implementing a
progressive agenda. At a certain point, all that liberal
discontent—boiling over of late because of Chopp’s stagnation on
labor and social-justice issues—becomes a liability for a man who
hails from what is arguably the most progressive district in the
state.
And if the tough talk in certain lefty circles is any indication,
that point may now have arrived.
Some labor leaders are furious at Chopp for pushing through a budget
this year that was all cuts and no tax increases. Other labor leaders
are irate about his failure to back a worker privacy bill that would
have protected employees from being forced to attend anti-union
meetings. Feeling good because of its key role in beating back Tim
Eyman’s budget-freezing Initiative 1033 earlier this month, organized
labor is now gearing up to support challenges next election against
incumbent Democrats who don’t support its interests—incumbent
Democrats like Chopp.
Ben Lawver, political director for the Washington State Labor
Council, said there’s about $400,000 in labor’s new fund for picking
off problematic Democrats and that no one has been ruled out as a
target. “If there’s an incumbent Democrat who doesn’t support us, and
if there’s a viable challenge, then yeah, we’ll support it,” he said,
making clear that Chopp is included in that statement. “We’ll be
watching everybody closely.”
In addition, civil rights advocates—while pleased that Chopp
has backed expanding domestic-partnership rights for gays and
lesbians and supported restoring voting rights for felons who’ve served
their time—have been disappointed by Chopp on other matters. The
disappointments range from his failure to make progress on
three-strikes-you’re-out reform to his lack of support for
death-penalty abolition and marijuana decriminalization. “On
marijuana, I would think that his district, if any district, would be
very progressive,” said Shankar Narayan, legislative director for the
local chapter of the ACLU.
“I don’t think Frank’s popular in his own district,” said one
Democratic legislator, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “He
loves to send things to the ballot; his district doesn’t. He supported
[Eyman’s revenue-slashing] Initiative 695 on the house floor; his
district didn’t. His district was ground zero against the elevated
viaduct; he was for elevated. The largest employer in his district is
the University of Washington, but he’s anti–higher
education—the largest proposed cuts in the legislature this year
were his cuts to the state’s higher-education system, in part the
UW.”
Representative Brendan Williams, a Democrat from Olympia who has
long been an outspoken critic of Chopp, also suggested that the Speaker
has abandoned his constituents. “To what degree has he really defended
Seattle?” Williams asked.
He then answered his own question by noting that the bill putting
Seattle on the hook for any cost overruns from construction of the
tunnel under downtown, though introduced by a Democrat from Mercer
Island, “was actually Frank’s provision that he got her to introduce.”
And, Williams noted, when Chopp’s backers in the state builders’
association spent $160,000 in 2008 on billboards across the state
saying “Don’t Let Seattle Steal This Election”—an implicit call
for conservative voters to pick Republican Dino Rossi for governor over
Democrat Christine Gregoire—Chopp failed to join the Democratic
leadership in condemning the campaign.
“It would take someone extremely courageous to take Frank on,”
Williams admitted. “His campaign coffers would be filled by Wal-Mart,
BIAW, and other corporate entities.” But, he added: “I think the
disaffection of progressives has been clear.”
Chopp, in an e-mailed statement, said he was firmly in step with his
district, and he noted that the state labor council had given him a
100-percent score in four out of the last five years.
“I work hard every day to represent the values of the people of the
43rd District and earn their trust and support,” Chopp said. “Progress
on issues like providing all Washington children with health-care
coverage, protecting the poor and vulnerable, controlling predatory
lending, and expanding domestic partnerships are just a few of the
things that we have achieved with the support of my constituents. In
the time I’ve been Speaker, over $1 billion has been invested in the
Housing Trust Fund, which has included 60 low-income-housing
projects in our district alone.”
Progressives have tried to knock off a moderate-leaning incumbent
from Seattle before. In 2004, labor unions targeted pro-choice Democrat
Helen Sommers in the primary because she failed to halt corporate tax
breaks and opposed raising pay for home health-care workers. The
challenge fell short; Sommers was easily reelected.
But the new top-two primary system could change the game for Chopp
next year, the Democratic legislator who spoke on the condition of
anonymity said, because it would allow a Democrat (rather than a
Republican) to challenge Chopp in the general election. “It would take
a strong candidate who reflected the 43rd District’s environmental and
higher-education values,” the legislator said. But the candidate’s
message could be simply: “You gotta do something with those
majorities.”
Labor, for its part, sees the upcoming legislative session in
Olympia as an opportunity for Chopp to redeem himself—and also
inoculate himself against a potential challenge in 2010 from the
left.
“I imagine there will be bills where people can show their support
or lack of support for labor,” said Lawver, of the labor council.
And if Chopp doesn’t?
“For an incumbent who doesn’t support us, there will be multiple
possibilities,” Lawver said. 
“Progressive discontent” against the speaker who has kept the minimum wage the highest in the country and just recently presided over the most significant legislative expansion of gay and lesbian civil rights in the state’s history? You have got to be kidding me.
To say Frank Chopp is anti-higher education because of higher-ed cuts proposed during the worst recession this country has seen in decades is totally ridiculous. Frank was a huge advocate for reinstating the estate tax which raised taxes on the 200 richest people in this state to fund college scholarships and enrollment slots.
He also fought for and saved the GAU program from complete destruction when many legislators wanted to eliminate it. I have friend who works directly with GAU clients and he told me had those cuts been made people would have literally been thrown out in the streets.
This article seems pretty one-sided to me.
“His campaign coffers would be filled by Wal-Mart, BIAW, and other corporate entities.” That’s enough for me. Vote him out. We didn’t elect Mallahan in Seattle, we can get this guy out too. It’s not nearly as impossible as Chopp’s supporters would have you believe. If you ignore the your constituencies and don’t do something with the power you have, you deserve to lose it.
Last Legislative session Chopp promoted a bill that would decimate Initiative 937, the Climate Change Initiative.
I-937 was very popular and the signature gatherers were primarily volunteers (unlike Eyman Initiatives) – for 43rd District Representatives like Chopp & Murray to try and kill I-937 is a bad sign for their being progressive.
So-called political reality ain’t what it used to be.
Let’s not forget Frank Chopp’s efforts to rob the light rail fund to pay for his highways.
I always find comments like this one–“This article seems pretty one-sided to me”–to be odd when tied to The Stranger. Do any of the Stranger’s readers actually think that the Stranger even remotely attempts to be “fair and balanced?” (hmm, guess that comment answers my question)
The Stranger is a gadfly, a publication with a clear, consistent political agenda. It’s deliberately and passionately Progressive, and there’s no attempt to hide that like with Fox Noise or the Seattle Times. The Stranger’s totally out of the closet when it comes to it’s political leanings and agenda.
That’s why I read the Stranger: I get my (supposedly) unbiased news from the New York Times. I get passionate political news from the Stranger that fires up my own political juices.
and MAN would I love someone to challenge Chopp. Just tell me who, I’ll write a check. I hate it that that man represents me in Olympia.
Will pound the pavement for any person with a snowball’s chance to topple Chopp. Tired of his crap.
I wouldn’t say Sommers was easily reelected — Woldt got more than 48% in the primary…
Many of Frank Chopp’s progressive successes are suspiciously absent from this article. What about his strong support of mental health parity and funding? Or how about his work on ensuring that toxic toys do not end up in the hands of our children? Or his efforts to pass a simple majority for school levies? Not to mention all that he’s done for the environment. I agree that this article seems one-sided and I’d like to encourage other readers to find out the truth about all that Frank Chopp has done for our state and his district.
#7
pound anything you want – he polled 85 per cent in his last election.
oh, how terrible, all the district hates him .. bull shit.
just what are you people drinking?
he is a former buddy with deceased gay hero, Cal Anderson and among the most pro gay people in Olympia.
smart queers appreciate that … silly ones spout blather … apparently the dagger is out at the Stranger.
Yes. What we need is less moderates and more hardliners in the state legislature. I was just thinking today how much I hate compromise and love the far fringes of the two major political parties. Good grief.
This article is a sham. Eli proposes their is some underground movement to replace Chop, but only provides quotes from unnamed sources and low level members of the ACLU. Where are the facts? Where are the meetings being held to pick a candidate? Where is the political action committee that is raising money for the supposed upcoming campaign? Where are the advanced polls showing where this candidate would gather support?
Seems to me the only movement to replace Chop exist in the minds of the above cited labor union leaders, and in Eli Sanders mind. This is advocacy, “some would say”, Fox News type journalism at it’s worse.
While not commenting on the merits of the issue, any campaign against Speaker Chopp would have to be much better thought out and executed than the debacle against Helen Sommers a few years back.
Paraphrasing the old saying, when you strike at the King, you have to be certain of the kill.
Just to clarify my comments…..
I went out of my way to not include Frank Copp in my comments. The EXACT opposite of what Eli Sanders said “making it clear that Frank Chopp is included”.
That is Bullshit Eli. You tried to get me to say that Labor would go after Frank and I did NOT. I told you what our criteria was and that was it. But I guess that I shouldn’t be suprised that you had an agenda.
Benjamin Lawver
I am sure that there will be some who will set my comments aside for any number of reasons including that I live in Olympia, that I was a lobbyist for 36 years and that I have known Frank Chopp for over 25 years and count him as a friend. On the other hand I was the Chair of the King County Democratic Party from 1968 to 1972, was a Gene McCarthy delegate to Chicago in 1968, a founder of “VietNam Summer” in 1967 and the Washington Environment Council in 1969. I lobbied for all the Teamsters in this state for 32 years, The Fred Hutchinson Center for 30 years, Hands Off Washington, The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for 25 years and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition for 17 years.
I have seen many Speakers and Frank is not only the best, but by far the most progressive Speaker we have had since at least during the 1930’s. I was the lead lobbyist for adopting California Vehicle Standards and setting minimum standards for governmental usage of bio-fuels. Both top goals for the Environmental Lobby. Neither would have been adopted if not for Frank. I was the lead lobbyist for the Creation of the Housing Trust Fund, working with Frank while he was the head of the then Fremont Public Association. The Trust Fund would never have been created with out the work of Frank and Mike Lowery (before he was governor.) I was the lead lobbyist for having funds for Parks, trails and open spaces doubled to $100 Million in 2007-09, which would never have happened if not for Frank. Moneys for K-12 education increased more during Frank’s tenure as Speaker than during any time since before WW One. At the end of the 2007-09 budget cycle, higher education was celebrating the best budget they had seen in 25 years. Yes it was cut in this biennium, but then so was everything else. In every area that progressives usually use as place markers for a humane society, Frank Chopp has lead, including in education, affordable housing, health care, children’s programs, civil liberties, nutrition programs, worker’s rights and workplace safety, preserving the environment and livable cities. But I guess if your only issue is legalization of pot, then, no, he has not taken care of your issue. Mike Ryherd
The fact that this guy is in favor of the death tax means that you should vote him out. All that the death tax (Estate Tax) does is line the pockets of large insurance companies like AIG and kill small businesses. For the real story on this tax, visit http://www.estatetaxtruth.org
Oh, for chrissake, not the “death tax” twats. GO AWAY. The estate tax is a beautiful thing, and the only thing that needs to be changed is a provision to raise the rate to 100% for anyone named Blethen.
Frank Chopp has built as powerful a legislative coalition as exists anywhere in the country under very difficult circumstances. If you replace him with a hard lefty, guess what? Your hard lefty isn’t going to be Speaker, and he’s going to preside over fuck-all. Lefties in the 43rd appear to be desperate for irrelevancy.
Get rid of Chopp and the Republicans take over. It’s as simple as that.
The speaker has been aggressive on many issues that are important to progressives. He, along with key Seattle legislators, helped pass first-of-its kind legislation regulating toxic chemicals in children’s toys. This was the year after toxic chemicals were regulated in consumer electronics. Business came out in full force on BOTH of these issues and the house Democratic caucus took strong, unwavering stances to ensure these laws protecting children and consumers were enacted.
Frank Chopp’s resume of legislative accolades is unparalleled. If critics in Seattle were ever to step out the area code they would understand why the Stranger doesn’t run the agenda in Olympia.
@16 – yeah, right. ROFLMFAO.
I’ll say this – if the Seattle delegation doesn’t man up soon, there’s going to be blood on the floor in a lot of districts. Nobody elected them to roll over for the rest of the State and the America-hating Republic Party of No comrades – they elected them to DO things.
And, no, that doesn’t include an overpriced Billionaires Tunnel that nobody except insiders wants and that couldn’t get funded with a public vote if it wrapped itself in a flag and whistled Dixie.
@ 10 —
Respectfully, you’re full of shit, dude. Google BIAW and Chopp. Google marijuana decriminalization and Chopp. Chopp opposes consumer protections that BIAW doesn’t want. What about his ridiculous viaduct proposal — is that what a smart queer supports? Give me a f’in break.
Chopp’s campaign cash comes from the big players in this state — not from his district. Steve Elliott recently dismantled Chopp much more extensively than Eli does…. Check it out here: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Marijua….
I don’t care what percentage he polls — I care about replacing him.
Eli, why do you refer to Chopp as a “centrist”? He’s a right winger. Why do liberals and Democrats lie about the political positions of their party?
Wrapping itself in a flag and whistling Dixie would hurt it in Seattle, Will.
The fact that Ben Lawyer has to go into comments and state that he said the exact opposite of what you quote him saying is pretty damning.
Frank Chopp is a great Speaker that deserves the support of the progressive community.
@13, Benjamin Lawver: In our conversation, you did in fact make it clear that Frank Chopp was included.
Moreover, as you know, Washington State Labor Council spokesperson Kathy Cummings listened in on our Nov. 16 telephone interview. Later that day, I spoke to Ms. Cummings and read her the sections of the story you are now disputing. She had no quarrel with them.
Eli, that response you put up on Slog from shaneleopard is a fantastic example of someone not knowing how to read a newspaper.
You wrote: “His campaign coffers would be filled by Wal-Mart, BIAW, and other corporate entities.”
The comment quotes you and states: “That’s enough for me. Vote him out.”
There isn’t even a fact in your assertion, and yet this guy is ready to vote out his own Rep, the State Speaker.
You wrote “would,” a weasel word. There isn’t even someone from the BIAW or Wal-Mart to voice support for Frank. I suppose someone that closely followed local politics would know that the BIAW and Chopp have a better relationship than may be expected.
But Chopp and Wal-Mart? Really? That lefty punching bag? That’s like dog whistle politics for progressives, a code word for the base such as “states rights” to run shivers down the spine of a certain set of activists. At least quote a lobbyist or PR person on this. Do you really believe Wal-Mart likes paying the highest minimum wage (Thanks, Frank!)?
#19
you won’t – can’t.
you are full of shit. politics on the ground are obviously not your strength. bluster and insult is.
fantasy political strategy fueled by Mc Ginn squeaking into the mayors chair
or, some very poor speed – just tweaking away
you can run anybody you want, Mr. Chopp is in a safe seat for him
a publication that is progressive does not destroy political leaders cause they lack 5 per cent of perfect, or are too old, or too fat, or drink with republicans
your sources of anti Chopp rebellion are stupid naysayers who don’t have a political perspective on the 43rd worth hearing
do you really understand the used to be called Fremont Public Association which is Frank’s baby? he runs it – any neighborhood should be so lucky, they are not.
his list of good works will number in the hundreds going back 25 years – get real
I know Frank Chopp personally, and one thing I know about him is he doesn’t take Walmart, BIAW, or Tobacco money. That information is readily available at http://www.pdc.wa.gov.
A little fact checking before deciding to use a quote would be nice.
Frank Chopp will not lose. Unfortunately, 2010 is going to be a strong Republican year and you better get used to it. And don’t forget the Democrats had a landslide majority in 1992 that turned into a Republican landslide majority in 1994. Stop eating our own and looking for purity. Sounds worse than the GOP eating its own.
I’m not sure how @21 took what I said as being about Frank … I just said the delegation as a whole.
My laughing is for the comment that we’d get a Republic Party of No comrade if Frank didn’t win. Historically, we’d probably get someone even further left, as anyone knows. They only put up GOP Sacrificial Lambs in this district, cause they have no hope in heck of making it thru the Primary.
fantasy political strategy fueled by Mc Ginn squeaking into the mayors chair
or, some very poor speed – just tweaking away
you can run anybody you want, Mr. Chopp is in a safe seat for him
a publication that is progressive does not destroy political leaders cause they lack 5 per cent of perfect, or are too old, or too fat, or drink with republicans
your sources of anti Chopp rebellion are stupid naysayers who don’t have a political perspective on the 43rd worth hearing
do you really understand the used to be called Fremont Public Association which is Frank’s baby? he runs it – any neighborhood should be so lucky, they are not.
his list of good works will number in the hundreds going back 25 years – get real
Frank has definitely turned himself into a greasy politician over his career — more concerned about maintaining his power than being fair to his constituents. He cheerfully compromises on any and all issues the voters care about while still making them believe he’s a liberal. I live in his district (and used to work for him at FPA) and I will GLADLY vote for a truly liberal challenger.
@ 26 BK:
Chopp HAS taken $$ repeatedly from the Washington Affordable Housing Council, the BIAW’s PAC. Don’t spew your own ignorance when trying to debunk someone else.
Will @28, you are a stone-cold halfwit.
I didn’t mean the 43rd would get a Republican rep — I meant the STATE OF WASHINGTON would get a Republican majority, and thus Speaker.
We’ve got a pretty good thing going here. It would not be smart to fuck it up. But, of course, it’s dipshits like you, who think that everybody in the whole state is exactly like you, who are hell-bent on doing exactly that.
“Right winger” my big fat shiny gold-plated knob. Chopp is the ONLY thing standing between the 43rd and total irrelevancy.
This is a serious comment. Dan Savage, please, run for Chopp’s seat; you will win.
he may not be as lefty as we in the 43rd would like, but we should also consider the question, “who would replace him as speaker, and what effect would that have on politics at the state level?” i’m not certain what the answer is, but i do know that lynn kessler (d-24) is his #2 and therefore a strong contender. the 24th comprises the northern and western olympic peninsula– do you think a rep from there would be a stronger advocate for a highly progressive agenda in a high profile position?
@27 – um, no. 2010 is going to be the year when the Whig Party falls apart.
@33 hell yes! I’ll volunteer on Dan’s campaign 🙂
@24
Polling in the 80s against Kim Verde in the 43rd is not that much of an achievement, and does not represent some sort of massive public support for Chopp beyond the fact that he’s the Dem. There was a grand total of just over 7500 votes in the last primary election in the 43rd… many of those voters could be attracted to a more progressive candidate.
Regardless of what you think of blog comments, folks will support a viable challenger to Chopp. His ego and belligerence can be lived with; its his opposition to progressive legislation that needs to be removed.
I’ll do what I can, Coffee Fag, if the right candidate arises.
let me get this straight lkjh + solidgroundisadumbname: you would vote out chopp, the speaker of the house, a leader who:
1. helped to double the investment in the WWRP for environmental + recreational projects
2. created the opportunity grants program to help students go to community college
3. prevented the elimination of the GA-U program
4. doubled the housing trust fund
5. initiated a building communities fund to construct community centers
6. enacted the puget sound partnership to clean up our sound
7. mandated bans on toxic substances like mercury and pbde’s in consumer goods
for… a newbie “progressive” democrat to represent the 43rd? would they be lucky enough to get a vice-chair position on some powerless committee their first term? how well do you think they can represent the 43rd then?
Yes, Will, that’s why a Republican just very nearly took the King County Executive, and a total slimeball, Dino Rossi, came within a few votes of the Governor’s office. Yes, the state legislature is currently 61-37. Why do you think that is? Frank Chopp, in large measure. Just a couple of years ago it was 49-49.
#37
good luck – you will be pouring your money and effort down a rat hole.
go north and take out Val Stevens or any one of a long list of really horrid right wing/homophobic/stupid low life legislators. I will help on getting rid of three or four of those. my politics are progressive to the core, not just ’cause I take the bus and eat little meat.
Frank Chopp, no way.
playing spoiler to spoil is a fools game. you are a fool.
Can you imagine how much better off this Country would be if we could trade every Wall Street Banker and Downtown Seattle Lawyer for a Socialist Frank Chopp?
Frank Chopp, besides being a good manager, is also an honest man – something in very short supply in Seattle. You need to get rid of the rest of the fools, not Frank – replace them with any political stripe you choose, but keep Chopp.
That’s some painful video to watch. Not one straight answer, just pivoting and squirming like a weasel. But it sounds like the plan is to co-opt the the opposition by listening to them to death. And then letting progressive legislation die or get sandbagged out of any shot at passing.
I don’t credit Chopp with the Democratic supermajority. Demographics handed that to him and he squandered it. I mean, has anyone stood in awe of the brilliant political moves by Chopp and the WA Dems? Whatever stroke of genius it was that they did to get where they are, they sure kept it a secret.
Considering that 2 or the 3 sources cited to demonstrate this ‘progressive discontent’ are an anonymous legislator and someone who had to clarify their words in a comment section, you can see why I think that this article is just another cheap shot at Speaker Chopp on a slow news day.
Can we see some discussion about some of the PROGRESSIVE actions that have happened in our state because of Frank? Just one example is kids health insurance – because of his work on Apple Health for Kids, nearly all kids in our state have good, affordable health care. This brings millions of federal dollars into our state, and gives families losing jobs one less thing to worry about. When’s the last time the author could say something like that?
@ 40 — Frank Chopp’s no progressive, no matter how many insults you want to hurl. Plainly, he brings enough to the table to suit you. Not me. If someone takes him on, there’ll be more than me fighting for his opponent.
See you in the trenches, asshole!
Shorter pro-Chopp people on this blog: Things can not be one iota better than they are. If you try, Sarah Palin will become governor AND occupy all 147 seats in the legislature.
@40 – Yeah, Chopp is in for life and Val Stevens is teetering. Genius.
@45 for the win. Why, because it is only by letting the right wing define the battlefield that the left wing can succeed … NOT.
As a teacher in Seattle, I am happy with all of Frank Chopp’s support throughout the years–for students and teachers. Let’s remember who created the Education Legacy Trust Fund in an effort to increase financial aid for college students (yes those precise students in his UW district) and he got the simple majority for school levies passed which I’m sure no Republican nor Democrat without the thoughtfulness and skill set Chopp has as Speaker could do.
Washington is a progressive state for many reasons, particularly the accomplishments during his tenure–let’s not revert back to the 1990 way of thinking.
I hope he gets knocked out and replaced by a far left gadfly on a bike with no power in Olympia.
I consider myself a progressive and can point to numerous things that have been accomplished under Frank’s leadership that we in liberal Seattle ought to be proud of. I’m consistently baffled by who these malcontent “progressives” are. Not only does the Apple Health for Kids program cover tens of thousands kids in our state, but does so regardless of citizenship status. When Frank said our state ought to provide health insurance for ALL kids, he meant that. Frank’s also been a stalwart champion of services that disproprotionately impact low-income people of color, like the fully state-funded GAU program. (Hello people, under Clinton and Bush eras, elderly immigrants were pushed out of the federal SSI and other welfare programs, so programs like GAU were literally the last safety net)
Frank can’t take credit for all progressive legislation that’s passed in Olympia but he certainly can’t take the sole blame for what HASN’T passed either. At the end of the day, I’ll have down on my scorecard that this Speaker has done more for communities of color and low-income communities than what most of the malcontent progressive/liberal community could ever dream of, much less accomplish. That’s pretty progressive in my book.