John Larson

John B. Larson
Born	John Barry Larson 22 7, 1948
Birthplace	Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 1st congressional district
Known for	U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 1st congressional district

John Barry Larson (born July 22, 1948) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 1st congressional district, a seat he has held since 1999. A member of the Democratic Party, Larson represents a district anchored by the state capital of Hartford and its surrounding communities, including East Hartford, where he has long maintained his political base. Over the course of more than two decades in Congress, Larson has served on several key committees, including the House Ways and Means Committee, where he has been a member of the Trade Subcommittee. Before entering federal politics, Larson served in the Connecticut State Senate, where he rose to the position of President Pro Tempore. Throughout his congressional tenure, he has been a consistent advocate for Social Security reform, election integrity, and the interests of working families in Connecticut. In the 119th Congress, Larson has remained an active and vocal figure, introducing legislation on matters ranging from trade policy to immigration enforcement at polling places, and participating in high-profile political actions in opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump.

Early Life

John Barry Larson was born on July 22, 1948, in Hartford, Connecticut. He grew up in East Hartford, a working-class suburb of the state capital situated along the Connecticut River. Larson was one of several children in a large family, and his upbringing in the Hartford metropolitan area shaped his political identity and long-standing connection to the district he would eventually represent in Congress. East Hartford, with its mix of manufacturing workers and middle-class families, provided Larson with an early understanding of the economic concerns that would later become central to his political platform.

Larson attended local public schools in East Hartford before pursuing higher education. His roots in the community remained a defining aspect of his political career; he continued to reside in East Hartford throughout his years of public service, maintaining close ties to the neighborhood where he was raised.

Education

Larson attended Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He later continued his education and received a master's degree, also from Central Connecticut State University. His educational background at a public state university reflected his ties to Connecticut's public institutions and informed his later advocacy for public education and working-class constituents.

Career

Connecticut State Senate

Before entering national politics, John Larson built his political career in Connecticut state government. He was elected to the Connecticut State Senate, where he represented a district in the Hartford area. Larson rose through the ranks of the state legislature, eventually being chosen by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Connecticut State Senate, the highest leadership position in the chamber. In this role, Larson presided over the state senate and played a central part in shaping Connecticut's legislative agenda. His tenure in the state senate established his reputation as a consensus-builder within the Democratic caucus and provided him with the legislative experience that would serve as the foundation for his later career in Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

Election and Early Terms

Larson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998, winning the seat for Connecticut's 1st congressional district. The district, which encompasses Hartford and several surrounding towns including East Hartford, West Hartford, Bristol, and other communities in the greater Hartford area, has been a reliably Democratic seat. Larson succeeded longtime Representative Barbara Kennelly and quickly established himself as a reliable member of the House Democratic caucus.

Upon entering Congress, Larson secured committee assignments that allowed him to focus on economic and fiscal policy. He eventually earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxation, trade, Social Security, Medicare, and other major federal programs. His position on the committee, and particularly on its Trade Subcommittee, has given him a platform to address issues of economic policy that directly affect his constituents and the broader American workforce.

House Democratic Caucus Leadership

Larson's standing within the Democratic caucus grew over successive terms. He served as Democratic Caucus Chairman in the U.S. House, a leadership position that placed him among the top-ranking Democrats in the chamber. In this capacity, Larson helped shape the party's messaging and legislative strategy, serving as a bridge between the party's leadership and its rank-and-file members. His leadership role reflected the trust placed in him by his colleagues and elevated his profile within national Democratic politics.

Social Security Advocacy

One of the signature issues of Larson's congressional career has been his advocacy for the expansion and long-term solvency of Social Security. Larson has introduced and championed legislation aimed at strengthening the Social Security program, including proposals to increase benefits, adjust the cost-of-living formula, and extend the program's financial viability by altering its funding mechanisms. His Social Security 2100 Act became one of the most co-sponsored pieces of legislation in the House, drawing support from a broad coalition of Democratic members. Larson has framed Social Security as a fundamental commitment to American workers and retirees, and he has consistently argued against proposals to reduce benefits or privatize the program.

Trade Policy

As a member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, Larson has been involved in debates over U.S. trade policy. In February 2026, Larson issued a statement commending a Supreme Court decision that overturned what he characterized as an "illegal Trump tariff regime." In his statement, Larson emphasized the impact of tariffs on American consumers and businesses, framing the court's ruling as a victory for constitutional governance and the rule of law. His position on the Trade Subcommittee has allowed him to engage with trade-related legislation and oversight throughout his tenure in Congress.

Election Integrity Legislation (2026)

In February 2026, Larson introduced the Stop ICE Election Militarization Act, legislation designed to prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from interfering with the electoral process. Larson introduced the bill alongside Representatives Nikema Williams and Veronica Escobar. The legislation was introduced in response to concerns that ICE enforcement actions near polling places could intimidate voters and suppress turnout, particularly among immigrant communities and communities of color.

Larson stated that the bill was intended to protect the fundamental right to vote and to ensure that federal law enforcement agencies do not create an atmosphere of fear around elections. The introduction of the bill was also covered by political and financial news outlets, which noted Larson's role as the lead sponsor and the broader context of immigration enforcement debates during the Trump administration's second term.

Opposition to the Trump Administration (2025–2026)

During the second term of President Donald Trump, Larson emerged as an outspoken critic of several administration policies. In February 2026, Larson announced that he would not attend President Trump's State of the Union address, choosing instead to participate in a "People's State of the Union" event held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Larson was joined by other Connecticut lawmakers, including Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Jim Himes, who also chose to skip the official address in favor of the counter-event.

In his official statement regarding his decision, Larson indicated that he would use the occasion to welcome a family from Bristol, Connecticut, that had been affected by what he described as a Trump administration ban on immigration applications. Larson framed his absence from the State of the Union as a statement of principle, arguing that the administration's policies warranted public protest rather than the traditional bipartisan attendance at the presidential address.

2026 Re-election Campaign and Fundraising

As of early 2026, Larson was engaged in a competitive fundraising environment for his congressional seat. According to reporting by the CT Mirror, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin narrowly outraised Larson for a second consecutive quarter, as both candidates extended their campaigns for the 1st congressional district seat. The fundraising competition suggested the possibility of a primary challenge or a contested race for the district, with Bronin positioning himself as a potential alternative to the longtime incumbent.

The fundraising reports indicated that both Larson and Bronin were actively raising money and building campaign infrastructure, signaling a potentially competitive contest. Larson, who has held the seat since 1999, faced the challenge of defending his incumbency against a well-known local figure with executive experience as a two-term mayor of the district's largest city.

Personal Life

John Larson has maintained his residence in East Hartford, Connecticut, throughout his political career, remaining in the community where he was raised. His long-standing connection to East Hartford and the greater Hartford area has been a consistent element of his public identity. Larson has emphasized his working-class roots and his family's ties to the community in his public statements and campaign materials over the years.

Legacy

John Larson's congressional career, spanning more than a quarter century, has made him one of the longest-serving members of Connecticut's congressional delegation. His tenure has been defined by his advocacy for Social Security reform, his service on the House Ways and Means Committee, and his role in Democratic leadership as a former Caucus Chairman. Larson's focus on economic issues affecting working families, retirees, and middle-class Americans has been a through-line of his legislative work.

In the broader context of Connecticut politics, Larson has served as a durable political figure in a state that has undergone significant demographic and economic changes during his time in office. His representation of the Hartford area has coincided with the city's ongoing challenges related to economic development, public education, and fiscal stability. Larson's legislative priorities, particularly on Social Security and trade policy, have reflected the concerns of his constituents in a district that includes both an urban core and suburban communities.

As of 2026, Larson remained an active member of Congress, continuing to introduce legislation and engage in political actions on issues ranging from election integrity to trade policy and immigration enforcement. His decision to skip the 2026 State of the Union address in favor of a protest event on the National Mall illustrated his willingness to take public stands against the policies of the Trump administration, consistent with his role as a senior member of the House Democratic caucus.