Denny Heck

On December 4, 2019, Heck announced that he would not seek reelection in 2020. On April 3, 2020 he filed to run for Lieutenant Governor.

Since 2013, Heck has introduced (along with Rep. Ed Perlmutter) legislation to improve access to banking and financial services for cannabis businesses. Initially known as the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act, it was rebranded as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in 2017. On September 25, 2019, the House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act by a 321–103 vote, marking the first time that either chamber of Congress has approved a standalone cannabis reform bill.

Heck indicated in the spring of 2011 that he would run for Congress again in 2012. Soon after the state's redistricting commission announced tentative maps, Heck announced that he was running for the newly created 10th District, based in Olympia. In the general election on November 6, 2012, Heck defeated Republican challenger Dick Muri to become the district's first congressman.

Heck was previously the Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative for the 3rd district in 2010, but was defeated by Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican. In 2012 Heck ran and won in the newly created 10th district, defeating Republican Dick Muri.

Heck was endorsed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on October 12, 2010. Herrera defeated Heck in the general election, 53% to 47%.

Heck wrote and self-published a mystery novel entitled The Enemy You Know. In 2008, he wrote and performed a one-man play, Our Times to several sold out audiences. He and his wife, Paula, who directed the play, donated all proceeds to local charities.

Heck was the co-founder and from 1999 to 2012 was board director of Intrepid Learning Solutions, a company specializing in business oriented education and training programs. He helped found Digital Efficiency which specializes in aiding businesses and medical facilities in transferring toward an all digital format. Heck helped found TVW, the public affairs network for the state. TVW provides coverage of the Washington State Legislature and sessions of the Washington Supreme Court.

Heck served as Chief of Staff to Washington Governor Booth Gardner from 1990 to 1993. Previously, he was Majority Leader of the Washington State House of Representatives and Chief Clerk of the House. He founded and served as CEO of TVW, the state equivalent of C-SPAN. From 1999 to 2012, he served on the board of directors of Intrepid Learning Solutions, which he co-founded with Christopher Hedrick.

Heck served as Chief of Staff for Governor Booth Gardner during his second term (1989–93).

Heck is the author of Challenges and Opportunities: The Transformation of Washington's Schools, published in 1987.

Starting in 1976, Heck was elected to five terms in the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 17th Legislative District in Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties. During that time he was elected Majority Leader, the second-ranking position in the House. He also co-chaired the Education Committee and wrote the state's historic Basic Education Act.

District #17 Representative #1 Election Results (1976-1984)

Heck and his wife Paula Fruci, married since 1976, have two sons.

Dennis Lynn Heck (born July 29, 1952) is an American politician who has been the United States Representative for Washington's 10th congressional district since 2013. The district is based in the state capital of Olympia, and also includes much of eastern Tacoma.

Heck was born in Vancouver, Washington in 1952, and raised in the Lake Shore area of Clark County where he graduated from Columbia River High School. He graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia in 1973.