Denny Heck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Denny Heck
Official portrait, 2018
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 73) Vancouver, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Paula Fruci ​ (m. 1976)​
Children	2
Education	Evergreen State College (BA)

Dennis "Denny" Lynn Heck (born July 29, 1952) is an American politician who is the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Washington. A lieutenant governor is the second-highest leader in a state's government, similar to a vice president.

Heck is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming lieutenant governor in 2021, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Washington's 10th congressional district from 2013 to 2021. He also served in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1977 to 1985.

In 2012, Heck was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a new district in Washington state. He served there for eight years. In 2020, he decided to run for lieutenant governor of Washington and won the election. He was reelected in 2024.

Early Life and Schooling

Denny Heck was born in Vancouver, Washington, in 1952. He grew up in the Lake Shore area of Clark County. During his childhood, his family faced tough times. His mother worked hard as a telephone operator to support him and his brother.

Later, his mother remarried, and his stepfather, a truck driver, adopted Denny and his brother. This brought more stability to their lives. Heck graduated from Columbia River High School in 1970. He briefly attended the United States Military Academy at West Point before going to Evergreen State College in Olympia, where he graduated in 1973. He also studied at Portland State University.

Career in Politics and Business

Washington State Government

Heck's career in public service began in 1976. He was elected five times to the Washington House of Representatives. This is one of the two groups of lawmakers that make laws for Washington state.

While there, he became the House Majority Leader, which is a top leadership job. He was also a leader on the Education Committee. He helped write the Basic Education Act, an important law for Washington's schools. After leaving the state house, he worked as a chief of staff for Governor Booth Gardner.

Starting New Companies

After working in government, Heck helped start new businesses. He co-founded TVW, a TV network for Washington state. It's like C-SPAN but focuses on the state government, showing meetings of the legislature and the Washington Supreme Court.

He also co-founded a company called Intrepid Learning Solutions, which created training programs for businesses. Later, he helped start another company that helped businesses switch to using digital records instead of paper.

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2021)

Heck's official photo when he first joined Congress.

In 2010, Heck ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress but did not win. He decided to run again in 2012 for a newly created district, the 10th congressional district of Washington. This time, he won the election and became the first person to represent that district. He was reelected three more times in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Work in Congress

As a member of Congress, Heck served on important committees.

• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: This committee oversees the nation's intelligence agencies to help keep the country safe.
• Committee on Financial Services: This committee deals with the country's banking system, housing, and money.

Heck also worked with other lawmakers on the SAFE Banking Act. This law was designed to make it easier for legal businesses to use banks and other financial services. The House of Representatives passed the bill in 2019.

Lieutenant Governor of Washington

Heck (center) with Irish politician Jerry Buttimer and Consul-General Micheál Smith in 2024.

In 2019, Heck announced he would not run for Congress again. Instead, in 2020, he ran for lieutenant governor of Washington and won. He took office in January 2021.

As lieutenant governor, Heck is the President of the Washington State Senate. He presides over the senate's debates and helps the legislative process run smoothly. He also fills in for the governor if the governor is out of the state or unable to serve.

In 2024, Heck won reelection for a second term as lieutenant governor.

Personal Life and Community Work

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

Heck enjoys creative projects. In 2008, he wrote and performed a one-man play called Our Times. All the money from the play was given to local charities.

He has also been very active in his community. He has served on the boards of The Evergreen State College and the Washington State History Museum. He is passionate about improving education in Washington.

Heck is also an author and has written several books, including a novel and a book about his experiences in Congress.

Election Results

State Legislature

This table shows the results of Heck's elections to the Washington House of Representatives.

Lieutenant Governor

This table shows the results of Heck's elections for lieutenant governor.

Books by Denny Heck

• Challenges and Opportunities: The Transformation of Washington's Schools (1987)
• Lucky Bounce (2015)
• The Enemy You Know (2018)
• Sausage (2022)