By Eric Nusbaum, Assistant Editor, JTNews
David Frockt is running at his own pace. Unlike many of his peers on the ballot, the candidate for state representative in Seattle’s 46th district is free to take the time to meet with constituents of the district, get to know voters, and help out on the campaigns of fellow local Democrats. These are the luxuries afforded a candidate with no opponent.
Frockt initially declared in January as a candidate for the 46th’s Senate seat, running against incumbent Democrat Ken Jacobsen. Frockt believed Jacobsen was voting in a manner inconsistent with the values of the district, especially on environmental and energy issues. Then, in May, Jacobsen announced he would not seek reelection, and Rep. Scott White declared his candidacy for the seat.
Frockt didn’t want to run against White, a Democrat who was about the same age and had similar views on policy. So instead, he decided to pursue the vacancy White was leaving behind in the House. With a campaign mechanism already in place, Frockt simply shifted gears. No opponent materialized.
“I think the reason we didn’t draw an opponent was that we had run a very strong campaign to that point,” Frockt said. “I was willing to work hard. I had knocked on probably 5,000 doors. “
The seeds of Frockt’s candidacy were sown many years before the attorney even moved to Seattle. The Louisville, Ky. native was active on the Michael Dukakis campaign in 1988 and worked on the Capitol Hill staff of U.S. Rep. Ron Mazzoli in the early 1990s.
“I got to a point in my professional life when I thought it was time for me to jump in and give something back,” Frockt said. “I’ve always been fascinated by politics and policy. I’m a lawyer, but in hindsight maybe I should have gone to school for public policy.”
Frockt and his wife Rebecca moved to Seattle in 1998. The family had become drawn to Seattle while visiting David’s sister Deborah, who is a playwright and works as director of advancement at Seattle Jewish Community School. Frockt’s own two children now attend SJCS. Education is a top priority, said Frockt, who attended public schools.
“SJCS was a school that we had a family connection to,” Frockt said. “It was the right choice for us. But as a policymaker I’m not thinking about my kids alone. We have an achievement gap in the system. You have kids in the South End who are not doing as well as kids in the North End.”
For Frockt, Judaism and public service go hand in hand. His major Jewish influences growing up in Lousiville were the National Federation of Temple Youth, and the camp he attended as both a kid and a counselor, Goldman Union Camp Institute.
“Everybody talks about tikkun olam and social action and having a more just society,” Frockt said. “I have always had that interest, and that’s sort of the reason I’ve always been interested in politics — the idea of trying to make things better out in the world.”
And as for when he arrives in Olympia? Look for Frockt to harp on the key issues of clean energy and education. He feels strongly about pushing for funding for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, as well as for colleges and universities like North Seattle Community College and the University of Washington.
Although Frockt might consider himself a policy wonk, he plans on putting his law chops to use.
“Attorney-hood should be very helpful,” he said. “You become a generalist; you know things fit together at the intersection of various aspects of commerce. For example, I’m not a corporate lawyer, but I know some things about corporate law.”