Frank Chopp

DENVER - The Democratic Speaker of the state House of Representatives, Seattle's Frank Chopp, is well known in political circles for his planning and dedication to building a long-term Democratic majority in Olympia. Just like with the Republicans, every other year provides a chance to gradually build up or chip away at the current lead, depending on what side you are on.

But despite all the projections and planning, did last week's "top two" primary results change the leadership's picture of which races to focus on going into November? Chopp says no.

Chopp's business is to make sure the democratic majority is not its own worst enemy. But is cozying up to the democratic majority’s actual worst enemy really the best way to do that?

Rep. Jim McCune, the 2nd District Republican from Graham, is telling supporters that he is the target of a ruthless left-wing attack spearheaded by Speaker of the House Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) according the TNT's Political Buzz. He calls Chopp's tactics " slashing" and "slanderous".

McCune, who says in a fundraising letter that he is one of two remaining Pierce County Republicans in the House, has three Democratic opponents in his race. They are Jean Marie Christiansen, who ran in 2006, former Orting Councilman Raymond Harper, and recent entry Chuck Collins, who the TNT reported was recruited by state Democrats and is likely the impetus for McCune's worries.

State Rep. Geoff SimpsonState Rep. Geoff Simpson, whose recent arrest on domestic violence charges has been atop the political news chart this week, announced today that he will take leave of his position as Chair of House Local Government Committee until his legal issues are resolved.

The Times' David Postman has the story, and linked excerpts from Simpson's statement, as well as those from House Speaker Frank Chopp and House Clerk Barbara Baker after the three of them met at Simpson's Covington home yesterday.

House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) has a new Republican challenger in the 43rd. Republican Kim Cathleen Verde will be just the third GOP challenger for Chopp in his long career as a State Representative. Mulick has the story here.

The state's top Democratic officials joined force today to write a letter to NBA commissioner David Stern and all of the NBA owners in an attempt to get them to remove the proposed discussion of a Sonics franchise move at their upcoming owners' meeting in light of the recent revelation of e-mails from the current ownership group which suggest they intended to move the team from the start.

Read the letter below:

In a press conference today to wrap up the 2008 legislative session, House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) summed up what he expects to be the agenda for the 2009 session, The Olympian reports.

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