Rick Larsen | |
---|---|
Ranking Member of the House Transportation Committee | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Sam Graves |
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives from Washington's 2nd district | |
Assumed office January 3,2001 | |
Preceded by | Jack Metcalf |
Member of the Snohomish County Council from the 1st district | |
In office January 1,1998 –January 3,2001 | |
Preceded by | John Garner |
Succeeded by | Mike Ashley |
Personal details | |
Born | Richard Ray Larsen June 15,1965 Arlington,Washington,U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Tiia Karlén (m. 1994) |
Children | 2 |
Education | Pacific Lutheran University (BA) University of Minnesota (MPA) |
Website | House website |
Richard Ray Larsen (born June 15, 1965) is an American politician serving as the United States representative for Washington's 2nd congressional district since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Larsen is the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. [1]
Larsen was born and raised in Arlington, Washington, and graduated from Arlington High School. Throughout his childhood, he played youth soccer and was later a ball boy for the original Seattle Sounders. [2] Larsen attended Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Minnesota, earning a master's degree in public affairs. He formerly worked as director of public affairs for the Washington State Dental Association and as a lobbyist for the dental profession. [3]
In 2006, CQPolitics wrote:
Larsen, a member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition [10] in the House, has carved an image as a moderate that appeals to crucial swing voters in the politically competitive coastal district in the northwestern corner of Washington State. He still maintains support from centers surrounding the port cities of Everett and Bellingham.
In 2005, The American Prospect characterized Washington's 2nd congressional district as "traditionally Democratic" and contrasted that with Larsen's voting record at the time: [11]
Larsen won this traditionally Democratic district last year almost 2 to 1. Yet Larsen's voting record doesn't reflect these numbers: He voted in favor of the bankruptcy bill crafted by the credit-card industry, the Bush administration's estate-tax repeal, and the tort "reform" bill supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce limiting the right to sue.
Larsen sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and formerly sat on the Armed Services Committee. [12] He has raised $1.26 million from political action committees affiliated with the transportation industry and $560,000 from political action committees affiliated with the defense industry. [13]
Larsen voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. [14]
Planned Parenthood, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association and NARAL Pro-Choice America have all highly rated Larsen's position on abortion. [15] He has voted against several bills that would restrict abortion rights. [16] In 2022, Larsen reaffirmed his support for abortion rights and their protections under Roe v. Wade , saying he would "continue to stand with women and advocates in Washington state and across the country to ensure a woman’s right to access safe reproductive health care." [17]
Larsen voted for the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act [18] known as "cap and trade". He has cosponsored legislation that would create the Wild Sky Wilderness area in his home district [19] and is a member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus.
On February 8, 2019, Larsen came out in opposition to the Green New Deal, saying: [20]
I am not ready to support the Green New Deal resolution. It is difficult to support the resolution right now when one of the lead sponsors says one of the intentions is to make air travel unnecessary.
In 2020, Fuse Washington in its Progressive Voters Guide noted that Larsen does not support the Green New Deal and accepted political contributions from corporations including Exxon Mobil "as recently as last year". [21] [22]
Larsen has supported the House Democratic proposal for the Affordable Care Act. [23] He voted for the reform bill in November 2009. [24] Larsen does not support single-payer health insurance. He has said he "thought it was more appropriate to stick with defending Obamacare, not to change in the middle of the controversy". [25]
Larsen does not support Medicare for All and has said he supports the Public Option Deficit Reduction Act [26] as an alternative. [27] This proposal adds a public option to the Affordable Care Act using the same market-based exchanges while lowering premiums by only five to seven percent. [28]
In 2007, Larsen opposed impeaching President George W. Bush, saying, "I believe the American people elected a Democratic majority to make positive changes in their lives. If we took up impeachment, we would do nothing else for the next 2 years. I don't think that's what we were elected to do". [29] Larsen supported impeaching President Donald J. Trump on July 18, 2019. [30]
Although Larsen initially voted against a bill authorizing military force in Iraq in October 2002, he also voted against an amendment that sought to have the United States work through the United Nations to resolve tensions instead of invading Iraq. [31] In 2006, Larsen voted against requiring Congressional authorization for use of force in Iran, [32] and in 2011 he voted for use of force in Libya. [33]
Since 2002, Larsen has voted for nearly every bill put forth in the House concerning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [34] In 2006, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer described Larsen as a "strong advocate for providing money to support the [Iraq War]". [35]
In 2006, Larsen voted to endorse the War in Iraq and against a mandated withdrawal plan. [36] In 2008, he said that troops would be in Iraq "well into the next administration" and likely remain "for another 10 years". [37] Larsen supported President Obama's proposed exit strategy, which promised to remove combat troops by summer of 2010. [38]
Larsen voted for the S-Miner Act and Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits and Providing Business and Homebuyer Tax Credits bill. [39] He showed support for the interests of the Utility Workers Union of America, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, and AFL–CIO. [40] He claims to support Washington State's economy by investing in small- to medium-size businesses to help them succeed in the global economy. [39]
In January 2014, Larsen faced criticism from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for supporting Boeing's proposal to replace pensions with a 401(k)-style retirement plan. [41]
As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen has voted for every transportation bill since being reelected in 2008. [39] He believes that "sound investments in transportation keep our economy moving" and improve conditions in other areas. [39] Larsen was one of 79 cosponsors of the SAFETEA-LU bill to improve highways, increase funding for ferry systems, and expedite the flow of traffic and goods through border crossings. [42]
Larsen defeated Republican Doug Roulstone, a retired Navy officer from Snohomish, with 65% of the vote to Roulstone's 34%.
Larsen was challenged in the Democratic primary during his 2008 reelection campaign by perennial candidate Glen Johnson. His Republican opponent for the House race was recently retired Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart.
For the 2008 election cycle, Larsen's campaign's total income was $1,336,438. [43] His campaign spent $1,155,691. [43] The companies that contributed the most money were Boeing Co., Microsoft Corp., American Dental Assn., McBee Strategic Consulting, and Puget Energy. [43] The labor, finance/insurance/real estate, transportation, misc. business, and health sectors were the largest contributing sectors. [43] The major industry donations came from health professionals, transportation unions, building trade unions, retired, and sea transport. [43]
Larsen narrowly defeated Republican nominee John Koster to win a sixth term.
Larsen was endorsed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on October 13, 2010. [44]
In 2012, Larsen won reelection with 61% of the vote to Republican nominee Dan Matthews's 39%. [45]
Larsen was challenged by Republican Marc Hennemann. Hennemann decided to challenge Larsen after receiving an answer he disliked to a question at a town hall meeting in Coupeville. [46] Larsen defeated Hennemann, 64% to 36%. [47]
Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Rick Larsen | 146,617 | 50% | John Koster | 134,660 | 46% | Stuart Andrews | Libertarian | 7,672 | 3% | Glen S. Johnson | Natural Law | 4,231 | 1% | ||||
2002 | Rick Larsen | 101,219 | 50% | Norma Smith | 92,528 | 46% | Bruce Guthrie | Libertarian | 4,326 | 2% | Bernard P. Haggerty | Green | 4,077 | 2% | ||||
2004 | Rick Larsen | 202,383 | 64% | Suzanne Sinclair | 106,333 | 34% | Bruce Guthrie | Libertarian | 7,966 | 2% | ||||||||
2006 | Rick Larsen | 157,064 | 64% | Doug Roulstone | 87,730 | 36% | ||||||||||||
2008 | Rick Larsen | 217,416 | 62% | Rick Bart | 131,051 | 38% | ||||||||||||
2010 | Rick Larsen | 155,241 | 51% | John Koster | 148,722 | 49% | ||||||||||||
2012 | Rick Larsen | 184,826 | 61% | Dan Matthews | 117,465 | 39% | ||||||||||||
2014 | Rick Larsen | 67,812 | 62% | B.J. Guillot | 41,889 | 38% | ||||||||||||
2016 | Rick Larsen | 208,314 | 64% | Marc Hennemann | 117,094 | 36% | ||||||||||||
2018 | Rick Larsen | 210,187 | 71% | Brian Luke | Libertarian | 84,646 | 29% | |||||||||||
2020 | Rick Larsen | 255,252 | 63% | Timothy S. Hazelo | 148,384 | 37% | ||||||||||||
2022 | Rick Larsen | 202,980 | 60% | Dan Matthews | 134,335 | 40% | ||||||||||||
2024 | Rick Larsen | 263,750 | 64% | Cody Hart | 148,167 | 36% |
Larsen married Tiia Ingrid Karlen in 1994. They have two children.
Edward Lopez Pastor was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Arizona from 1991 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Arizona's 2nd congressional district from 1991 to 2003, its 4th district from 2003 to 2013, and its 7th district from 2013 to 2015, all of which were anchored in downtown Phoenix.
David Adam Smith is an American politician and retired attorney serving as the U.S. representative for Washington's 9th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Smith previously served in the Washington State Senate.
John Paul Kline Jr. is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2017. The district included most of the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. A member of the Republican Party, Kline served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce from 2011 until 2017. Kline retired from Congress at the end of his term in January 2017.
Alexander N. Green is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Texas's 9th congressional district since 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, Green served as the justice of the peace of Harris County, Texas from 1977 to 2004. The 9th district includes most of southwestern Houston and part of Fort Bend County, including most of Missouri City. It also includes western portions of Pearland.
James R. Langevin is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district from 2001 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the first quadriplegic to serve in Congress; Langevin was appointed to be the first quadriplegic speaker pro tempore of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019. Langevin did not seek reelection in 2022.
Peter Anthony DeFazio is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 4th congressional district from 1987 to 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party and is a founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. A native of Massachusetts and a veteran of the United States Air Force Reserve, he previously served as a county commissioner in Lane County, Oregon. On December 1, 2021, DeFazio announced he would not seek reelection in 2022.
James Enos Clyburn is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 6th congressional district. First elected in 1992, Clyburn represents a congressional district that includes most of the majority-black precincts in and around Columbia and Charleston, as well as most of the majority-black areas outside Beaufort and nearly all of South Carolina's share of the Black Belt. Since Joe Cunningham's departure in 2021, Clyburn has been the only Democrat in South Carolina's congressional delegation and as well as the dean of this delegation since 2011 after fellow Democrat John Spratt lost re-election.
Joyce Marie Beatty is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 3rd congressional district since 2013, and as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Beatty represented the 27th district in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1999 to 2008, serving for a time as minority leader. She was also previously the senior vice-president for outreach and engagement at Ohio State University.
Michael F. Doyle Jr. is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, serving from 1995 to 2022. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district was based in Pittsburgh and included most of Allegheny County.
Joseph Crowley is a former American politician and consultant who served as U.S. Representative from New York's 14th congressional district from 1999 to 2019. He was defeated by Democratic primary challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in what was viewed as one of the biggest upsets of the 2018 midterm elections.
Steven Jay Israel is an American political commentator, lobbyist, author, bookseller, and former politician. He served as a U.S. representative from New York from 2001 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected in New York's 2nd congressional district until 2013 and New York's 3rd congressional district until his retirement. At the time of his departure from Congress, his district included portions of northern Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island, as well as a small portion of Queens in New York City.
Stephen Ira Cohen is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Tennessee's 9th congressional district since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes the western three-fourths of Memphis. Cohen is Tennessee's first Jewish congressman.
Richard Michael Nolan was an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. He previously served as the U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district between 1975 and 1981 and was also a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1969 until 1973.
Henry Calvin Johnson Jr. is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Georgia's 4th congressional district since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is anchored in Atlanta's inner eastern suburbs, including Decatur, all of Rockdale County, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Covington and a sliver of Atlanta itself. Johnson is one of only three Buddhists to have served in the United States Congress. The others are Senator Mazie Hirono and former Representative Colleen Hanabusa, both of Hawaii.
Lynn Haag Jenkins is an American politician and lobbyist who served as the U.S. representative for Kansas's 2nd congressional district, in office from 2009 to 2019. She previously served as Kansas State Treasurer from 2003 to 2009, in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2000 and the Kansas Senate from 2000 to 2002. She is a member of the Republican Party.
Jaime Lynn Herrera Beutler is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district from 2011 to 2023. The district is in southwestern Washington, lying across the Columbia River from Oregon's Portland metropolitan area. A Republican, Herrera Beutler previously served in the Washington House of Representatives.
Derek Christian Kilmer is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for Washington's 6th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 2005 to 2007 and the Washington State Senate from 2007 to 2012.
Gerald Edward Connolly is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district. A Democrat, he was first elected in 2008. The 11th district is situated in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. It is anchored in the affluent Fairfax County, where Connolly served on the county's board of supervisors before his election to Congress, and also includes all of Fairfax City and part of Prince William County.
Thomas Willard Reed II is an American lobbyist, attorney, and politician from the state of New York. Reed served as the U.S. representative for New York's 23rd congressional district; the district is in New York's Southern Tier. A Republican, Reed first joined the U.S. House after winning a special election to replace Eric Massa in 2010. He previously served one term as mayor of Corning, New York.
Daniel Milton Newhouse is an American politician and agricultural scientist serving as the U.S. representative for Washington's 4th congressional district. The district covers much of the central third of the state, including Yakima and the Tri-Cities. Before his election to Congress, Newhouse served as director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and as a member of the Washington House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party.