Frank Licht graduated from Brown University and Harvard Law School, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He began his legal career as a law clerk and later became a partner at a prominent law firm. Licht served in the Rhode Island Senate and the Superior Court before becoming the first Jewish governor of Rhode Island. During his tenure, he implemented the state's first income tax and approved more business projects than any other governor. He also established key departments and championed environmental protection, creating significant regulatory frameworks. Despite his achievements, his unpopularity led him to not seek reelection.

Frank Licht's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of progressive fiscal measures and a surprising alignment with business interests. As governor, he introduced Rhode Island's first income tax to tackle a fiscal crisis, yet simultaneously championed business-friendly policies by approving more projects than any predecessor. His environmental initiatives, including tax credits for pollution-control systems, reveal a calculated approach to balancing industrial interests with regulatory action.