John Barry Larson (born July 22, 1948) is an American businessman and Democratic Party politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 1999. The district is based in the state capital, Hartford. 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.
Early political career
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 State Senate from the 3rd district, based in East Hartford. He served six terms in that body, the last four as president pro tempore.
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.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
In 1998, Larson ran for Connecticut's 1st congressional district. Incumbent representative Barbara B. Kennelly ran for governor rather than seeking another term in office. In the Democratic primary, Larson narrowly defeated Connecticut secretary of state Miles S. Rapoport. The district has long been the most Democratic in Connecticut, and Larson's victory in November was a foregone conclusion. He has since been re-elected eleven times without substantive opposition.
2026
In 2026, Larson is facing serious challengers in the Democratic primary for the first time since his 1998 election. Larson has rejected calls to retire and concerns over his age after suffering a complex partial seizure on the House floor in February 2025. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries has said that he "strongly" supports Larson's reelection. On May 11, 2026, Larson lost the Democratic Party of Connecticut endorsement to former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin. Despite the loss, Larson has announced that he will continue his campaign for renomination in the August 11 primary election.
Caucus leadership
On February 1, 2006, Larson was elected vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus to succeed Jim Clyburn, who was elevated to chair. After the caucus won control of the House in the 2006 elections, Clyburn was elevated to majority whip. However, Larson opted not to run for chair, and Clyburn was succeeded by Rahm Emanuel. After the 2008 elections, Emanuel became White House Chief of Staff and Larson was elected caucus chair. He served as chair for two terms before leaving the party leadership.
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." 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." His stances on environmental protection have earned him a rating of 100% with the League of Conservation Voters.
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.
Larson was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.
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). 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%.
On April 6, 2026, Larson filed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Committee assignments
For the 119th Congress:
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Social Security (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Trade
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Shellfish Caucus (co-chair)
- House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition (co-chair)
- House Baltic Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Afterschool Caucuses
- Black Maternal Health Caucus
- Congressional Equality Caucus
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
- Congressional Ukraine Caucus
- Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
- Blue Collar Caucus
- Congressional Blockchain Caucus
- Rare Disease Caucus
Personal life
Larson is married to Leslie Best. They have three children and reside in East Hartford.
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 underwent tests conducted by the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. His office later clarified that Larson had experienced a complex partial seizure caused by a heart valve replacement fifteen years earlier. Larson returned to his duties and was present for voting on the House floor on February 13.
U.S. House of Representatives
References
External links
- Congressman John B. Larson official U.S. House website
- John B. Larson for Congress
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