John B. Larson

This article is about an American politician. For other people named John Larson, see John Larson (disambiguation).

For other people with similar names, see John Larsen.

Leslie Best

​

(m. 1981)​

John Larson
Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
In office January 3, 2009 –January 3, 2013
Children	3
Relatives	Tim Larson (brother)
Education	Central Connecticut State University (BA)
Signature
Website	House website

John Barry Larson (born July 22, 1948) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Connecticut's 1st congressional district since 1999. The district is based in the state capital, Hartford. A member of the Democratic Party, Larson chaired the House Democratic Caucus during the 111th and 112th United States Congress.

Early life, education, and career

Larson was born in Hartford, but has spent most of his life in nearby East Hartford. He grew up in a public housing project. He was educated at East Hartford High School and Central Connecticut State University. He worked as a high school history teacher and an assistant athletics coach at George J. Penney High School (Penney High later merged with East Hartford High School).

Larson began his career as the co-owner of an insurance agency in East Hartford before entering public service. In 1971, he was selected as a Senior Fellow to the Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy by Head Start Program founder Edward Zigler. He transitioned into politics in 1977, when he served one term on the East Hartford Board of Education. He then served two terms on the East Hartford Town Council.

In 1982, Larson was elected to the Connecticut Senate from the 3rd district, based in East Hartford. He served six terms in that body, the last four as president pro tempore.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In 1994, Larson left the state senate and sought the Democratic nomination for governor of Connecticut, losing to Bill Curry in the primary. After being defeated for governor, Larson entered private business for several years but was able to maintain his political credentials.

Due in part to service in the Democratic Party and his local connections in the state, he narrowly defeated Secretary of State Miles S. Rapoport in the Democratic primary for the 1st district when 17-year incumbent Barbara Kennelly gave up the seat to run for governor in 1998. The 1st has long been the most Democratic district in Connecticut, and Larson's victory in November was a foregone conclusion. He has been reelected eleven times with no substantive opposition.

On February 1, 2006, Larson was elected vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus. The previous vice chair, Jim Clyburn, became chair when Bob Menendez was appointed to the United States Senate. After the Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006 elections, Larson opted not to run for caucus chair—a post that went to former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Rahm Emanuel—instead running unopposed for reelection as vice chair. After being reelected in 2008, Larson was elected chair of the caucus for the 111th Congress, after Emanuel was named White House Chief of Staff. ^[1]

Tenure

Energy and the environment

Larson has introduced various pieces of legislation in attempts to nationalize the US's energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect the environment. He cosponsored the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 "to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes." ^[2] According to Larson, "I have become convinced of the need for comprehensive legislation to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we are emitting into the environment." ^[3] His stances on environmental protection have earned him a rating of 100% with the League of Conservation Voters. ^[4]

Economic issues

In 2010 Larson introduced the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, authorizing the creation of the Small Business Lending Fund Program administered by the Treasury Department to make capital investments in eligible institutions, in order to increase the availability of credit for small businesses. Larson was a strong advocate for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which increased federal spending in infrastructure, education, health and energy while expanding some welfare and social security programs. His liberal stance on government spending has earned him a rating of 9% with Citizens Against Government Waste, a conservative anti-government spending interest group. ^[4]

Larson with then-Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama, Caroline Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy on February 4, 2008

Larson received media attention for scolding members of Congress for shutting down the government on September 30, 2013. ^[5]

Larson was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House. ^[6]

Social issues

Larson has consistently voted both to legalize same-sex marriage and to expand options for legal abortion. He voted to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and in favor of the Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). ^[7] The Human Rights Campaign gave Larson a rating of 94%. Larson voted not to end federal funding to Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice American both gave him a rating of 100%. ^[4]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress: ^[8]

• Committee on Ways and Means
  • Subcommittee on Social Security (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Tax

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Shellfish Caucus (co-chair)
• House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition (co-chair)
• House Baltic Caucus ^[9]
• Congressional Arts Caucus ^[10]
• Afterschool Caucuses ^[11]
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus ^[12]
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus ^[13]
• Climate Solutions Caucus ^[14]
• Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus ^[15]
• Blue Collar Caucus
• Congressional Blockchain Caucus ^[16]
• Rare Disease Caucus ^[17]

Personal life

Larson is married to Leslie Best. They have three children and reside in East Hartford. ^[18]

Health

On February 11, 2025, while speaking on the floor of the House, Larson froze for about 30 seconds mid-sentence. His office later responded that it was likely an "adverse reaction" to new medication, and he is undergoing tests conducted by the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. ^[19]

Electoral history

Connecticut State Senate

Connecticut's 3rd senate district results, 1982 ^[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	18,402	62.49%
	Republican	Kevin Norige	11,047	37.51%
Total votes			29,449	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 3rd senate district results, 1984 ^[21]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	21,635	55.21%
	Republican	Kathleen O'Leary McGuire	17,553	44.79%
Total votes			39,188	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 3rd senate district results, 1986 ^[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent; unopposed)	20,316	100.00%
Total votes			20,316	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 3rd senate district results, 1988 ^[23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	27,793	72.24%
	Republican	Joseph Roberts	10,678	27.76%
Total votes			38,471	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 3rd senate district results, 1990 ^[24]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	21,307	68.78%
	Republican	Debra Gaudette	9,672	31.22%
Total votes			30,979	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 3rd senate district results, 1992 ^[25]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	26,623	70.59%
	Republican	Peter Nevers	11,091	29.41%
Total votes			37,714	100%
	Democratic hold

U.S. House of Representatives

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 1998 ^[26]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	97,681	58.05%
	Republican	Kevin O'Connor	69,668	41.40%
	Term Limits	Jay E. Palmieri, IV	915	0.54%
Total votes			168,264	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2000 ^[27]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	151,932	71.92%
	Republican	Bob Backlund	59,331	28.08%
Total votes			211,263	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2002 ^[28]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	134,698	66.79%
	Republican	Phil Steele	66,968	33.21%
Total votes			201,666	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2004 ^[29]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	198,802	72.98%
	Republican	John Halstead	73,601	27.02%
Total votes			272,403	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2006 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson (incumbent)	154,539	74.44%
	Republican	Scott MacLean	53,010	25.54%
	Write-in		43	0.02%
Total votes			207,592	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2008 ^[31]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	194,493	65.81%
	Working Families	John Larson	17,000	5.75%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	211,493	71.56%
	Republican	Joe Visconti	76,860	26.01%
	Green	Stephen Fournier	7,201	2.44%
	Write-in		3	0.00%
Total votes			295,557	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2010 ^[32]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	130,538	57.75%
	Working Families	John Larson	7,902	3.50%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	138,440	61.25%
	Republican	Ann Brickley	84,076	37.20%
	Green	Kenneth Krayeske	2,564	1.34%
	Socialist Action	Christopher Hutchinson	955	0.42%
	Write-in		3	0.00%
Total votes			226,038	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2012 ^[33]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	192,840	64.92%
	Working Families	John Larson	14,133	4.76%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	206,973	69.67%
	Republican	John Henry Decker	82,321	27.71%
	Green	S. Michael DeRosa	5,477	1.84%
	Independent	Matthew Corey	2,290	0.77%
Total votes			297,061	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2014 ^[34]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	127,430	58.49%
	Working Families	John Larson	8,395	3.85%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	135,825	62.34%
	Republican	Matthew Corey	78,609	36.08%
	Green	Jeffery Russell	3,447	1.58%
Total votes			217,881	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2016 ^[35]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	187,021	59.77%
	Working Families	John Larson	13,665	4.37%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	200,686	64.13%
	Republican	Matthew Corey	105,674	33.77%
	Green	S. Michael DeRosa	6,563	2.10%
	Write-in		2	0.00%
Total votes			312,925	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2018 ^[36]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	166,155	60.61%
	Working Families	John Larson	8,932	3.26%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	175,087	63.87%
	Republican	Jennifer Nye	96,024	35.03%
	Green	Tom McCormick	3,029	1.10%
Total votes			274,140	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2020 ^[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	213,001	60.99%
	Working Families	John Larson	9,667	2.77%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	222,668	63.76%
	Republican	Mary Fay	122,111	34.97%
	Green	Tom McCormick	4,458	1.28%
Total votes			349,237	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2022 ^[38]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	144,873	59.40%
	Working Families	John Larson	4,683	1.92%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	149,556	61.32%
	Republican	Larry Lazor	91,506	37.52%
	Green	Mary Sanders	2,851	1.17%
Total votes			243,913	100%
	Democratic hold

Connecticut's 1st congressional district results, 2024 ^[39]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Larson	197,788	59.85%
	Working Families	John Larson	10,861	3.29%
	Total	John Larson (incumbent)	208,649	63.13%
	Republican	Jim Griffin	115,065	34.82%
	Green	Mary Sanders	6,768	2.05%
Total votes			330,482	100%
	Democratic hold

References

1. Pelosi Announces New Majority Leadership Team, marketwatch.com; accessed November 1, 2016.
2. "Cosponsors - H.R.6 - 110th Congress (2007-2008): Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". Congress.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
3. "Congressman John Larson | Representing the 1st District of Connecticut". Larson.house.gov. Archived from the original on 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
4. Archived 2013-09-08 at the Wayback Machine
5. "Democratic Congressman Scolds GOP On House Floor: 'Do You Stand With Your Country?'". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
6. Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill . Retrieved June 6, 2023.
7. "John Larson's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test) - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. 1948-07-22. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
8. "John B. Larson". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
9. "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
10. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
11. "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
12. "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
13. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
14. "90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members". Citizen´s Climate Lobby. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
15. "Strengthening Conservation Advocacy: Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus Expansion & Reconstitution". National Wildlife Refuge Association. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
16. "Members". Congressional Blockchain Caucus. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
17. "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
18. "Meet John | Congressman John Larson". Larson.house.gov. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
19. Raposas, Rachel (February 11, 2025). "Congressman, 76, Freezes amid Medical Episode During Floor Speech, then Resumes with Deeper Voice". People.com. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
20. "1982 Connecticut general election results". November 2, 1982.
21. "1984 Connecticut general election results". November 6, 1984.
22. "1986 Connecticut general election results". November 4, 1986.
23. "1988 Connecticut general election results". November 8, 1988.
24. "1990 Connecticut general election results". November 6, 1990.
25. "1992 Connecticut general election results". November 3, 1992.
26. "1998 Connecticut general election results". November 3, 1998.
27. "2000 Connecticut general election results". November 7, 2000.
28. "2002 Connecticut general election results". November 5, 2002.
29. "2004 Connecticut general election results". November 2, 2004.
30. "2006 Connecticut general election results". November 7, 2006.
31. "2008 Connecticut general election results". November 4, 2008.
32. "2010 Connecticut general election results". November 2, 2010.
33. "2012 Connecticut general election results". November 6, 2012.
34. "2014 Connecticut general election results". November 4, 2014.
35. "2016 Connecticut general election results". November 8, 2016.
36. "2018 Connecticut general election results". November 6, 2018.
37. "2020 Connecticut general election results". November 3, 2020.
38. "2022 Connecticut general election results". November 8, 2022.
39. "2024 Connecticut general election results". November 5, 2024.

External links

• Congressman John B. Larson official U.S. House website
• John B. Larson for Congress
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN

Connecticut State Senate
Preceded by Marcella Fahey	Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 3rd district 1983–1995	Succeeded by Kevin Rennie
Preceded by Philip Robertson	President pro tempore of the Connecticut Senate 1987–1995	Succeeded by Adela Eads
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Barbara Kennelly	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 1st congressional district 1999–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Steny Hoyer	Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee 2003–2005	Succeeded by Juanita Millender-McDonald
Party political offices
Preceded by Jim Clyburn	Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus 2006–2009	Succeeded by Xavier Becerra
Preceded by Rahm Emanuel	Chair of the House Democratic Caucus 2009–2013
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Gregory Meeks	United States representatives by seniority 27th	Succeeded by Jan Schakowsky