Longtime Washington Democratic Rep. Frank Chopp, who became one of the state’s most powerful House speakers over the two decades he held the leadership role, died Saturday. He was 71.
Chopp was first elected to represent Seattle’s 43rd Legislative District in 1994 and would go on to become the state’s longest-serving speaker of the House. He retired from the Legislature ahead of the current session, after announcing last year he would not seek reelection.
“He was one of a kind,” Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said Saturday night, adding he didn’t know if anyone had had as much impact on the state…