House Speaker Frank Chopp To Step Down As Leader Next Spring

OLYMPIA — Longtime Washington state House Speaker Frank Chopp announced Tuesday that he will step down from his leadership post next spring, but will continue to serve in the chamber. The Seattle Democrat is the longest longest-serving speaker of the House. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Chopp is the second longest-serving House speaker in the nation, second only to Speaker Michael Madigan in Illinois. In a statement Chopp said that it was “time to step aside so that I can focus more energy on the issues that matter most and are priorities for the caucus.” He cited work he was proud of during his time as speaker, including the passage of paid family leave and money allocated for affordable housing programs. “It’s been an honor to serve as the state’s Speaker and to work with so many dedicated legislators on both sides of the aisle,” Chopp wrote. A new speaker will be chosen by the caucus and voted on by the full chamber sometime before the end of the 105-day legislative session that begins in January, spokesman Jim Richards said. Chopp, 65, was first elected to the House in 1994.

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