Denny Heck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Denny Heck
official portrait, 2021
17th Lieutenant Governor of Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office January 13, 2021
Governor	Jay Inslee Bob Ferguson
Preceded by	Cyrus Habib
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 10th district
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Marilyn Strickland
Chief Clerk of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 14, 1985 – January 12, 1987
Preceded by	Dean R. Foster
Succeeded by	Alan Thompson
Majority Leader of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 10, 1983 – January 14, 1985
Preceded by	Gary A. Nelson
Succeeded by	Joseph E. King
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 17th district
In office January 10, 1977 – January 14, 1985
Preceded by	Eugene Laughlin
Succeeded by	Kim Peery
Personal details
Born	Dennis Lynn Heck (1952-07-29) July 29, 1952 (age 72) Vancouver, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Paula Fruci ​ (m. 1976)​
Children	2
Education	Evergreen State College (BA)

Dennis Lynn Heck (born July 29, 1952) is an American politician. He is currently the 17th lieutenant governor for the state of Washington, a job he started in 2021. The lieutenant governor is like a vice-president for the state. They are second in command and step in if the governor can't do their job.

Before this, he was a U.S. representative for Washington's 10th congressional district from 2013 to 2021. A U.S. representative is a person elected to speak for their local area in the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. He was also a state representative in Washington from 1977 to 1985.

Growing Up and School

Denny Heck was born in Vancouver, Washington, in 1952. He grew up in the Lake Shore area. When he was young, his father left, and his mother had to work hard to support the family. Later, his step-father, a truck driver, helped provide a better life for them.

Heck finished high school at Columbia River High School in 1970. He briefly attended the United States Military Academy before going to Evergreen State College in Olympia. He graduated from Evergreen State College in 1973. He also studied at Portland State University for a short time.

Early Career Steps

Denny Heck helped start a company called Intrepid Learning Solutions. This company helps businesses with education and training programs. He was on its board of directors for many years.

He also helped create Digital Efficiency. This company helps businesses and medical places switch from using paper to all-digital systems. Heck also played a role in starting TVW. This is a public TV network for Washington State. It shows what happens in the Washington State Legislature (where state laws are made) and the Washington Supreme Court.

Heck also wrote a book called Challenges and Opportunities: The Transformation of Washington's Schools in 1987.

Serving in the Washington State House

Starting in 1976, Denny Heck was elected five times to the Washington House of Representatives. He represented the 17th legislative district. This district included Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat counties.

While in the House, he was chosen as the House Majority Leader. This is the second-highest position in the state House. He also helped lead the Education Committee and wrote an important law about basic education for the state. Later, he worked as the chief of staff for Governor Booth Gardner from 1989 to 1993. A chief of staff helps manage the governor's office.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2021)

Heck's first official portrait in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Denny Heck served as a U.S. Representative, speaking for the people of Washington in the U.S. Congress.

Elections for Congress

In 2010, Heck ran for Congress but lost the election. In 2011, new district maps were drawn for Washington State. A new 10th congressional district was created. Heck decided to run for this new district in 2012. He won and became the first person to represent this district in Congress.

He was re-elected several times, winning his elections in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

What He Did in Congress

In Congress, Heck was part of important groups called committees and caucuses.

• The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence looks into information about national security. He was on subcommittees that focused on defense intelligence and technology.
• The Committee on Financial Services deals with money matters, banks, and consumer protection. He was on subcommittees for financial institutions and investigations.

He was also part of these caucuses, which are groups of members of Congress who share common interests:

• The New Democrat Coalition is a group of Democrats who focus on economic growth and innovation.
• The Congressional Arts Caucus supports arts and culture.
• The U.S.-Japan Caucus works to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.

Lieutenant Governor of Washington (2021–Present)

In late 2019, Denny Heck announced he would not run for Congress again. Instead, in 2020, he decided to run for lieutenant governor of Washington. He won that election and started his term in January 2021.

In 2023, he announced he would seek re-election for lieutenant governor. He won his second term in the 2024 election.

About His Life

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

In 2008, Heck wrote and performed a one-man play called Our Times. He and his wife, who directed the play, gave all the money earned from the shows to local charities.

Heck has also supported many organizations in Washington State. He was on the board of trustees for The Evergreen State College. He also served on the board for the Washington State History Museum. He helped with the Washington Learns Commission, which worked to make Washington's education system better.

Heck has written several books:

• Challenges and Opportunities: The Transformation of Washington's Schools (1987)
• Lucky Bounce (2015)
• The Enemy You Know (2018)
• Sausage (2022), which shares his experiences in Congress.

Images for kids

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  Denny Heck's official portrait

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  Heck's freshman portrait in the U.S. House of Representatives