John Larson
Encyclopedia
John Barry Larson is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the a Democratic Party. The district is based in the state capital, Hartford.
Larson is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
.
and Central Connecticut State University
. He worked as a high school history teacher and an assistant athletics coach at George J. Penney High School (later Penney High merged with East Hartford High School). Larson was also 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 the Head Start Program founder, Edward Zigler.
Larson began his political career 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.
from the 3rd district, based in East Hartford. He served six terms in that body, the last four as president pro tempore
.
Larson is a member of the New Democrat Coalition
. On February 1, 2006 he was elected Vice Chair
of the House Democratic Caucus. The previous vice chairman, Jim Clyburn
, moved up to chairman when Bob Menendez was appointed to the United States Senate
. After the Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006, Larson opted not to run for caucus chairman—a post that went to former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
chairman Rahm Emanuel
, instead running unopposed for re-election as vice chairman. After being re-elected in 2008
, Larson was elected chairman of the Caucus for the 111th Congress, after Emanuel was named White House Chief of Staff
.
On March 5, 2009, Larson introduced a bill entitled "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the United States domestic energy supply" in an effort to begin a national tax on carbon dioxide emissions.
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 Rappaport in the Democratic primary for the 1st District when 17-year incumbent Barbara Kennelly gave up the seat to run for governor in 1998. This was tantamount to election in this heavily Democratic district. He has been reelected six times with no substantive opposition.
, Green Party nominee Kenneth J. Krayeske, and Socialist Action nominee Christopher J. Hutchinson. Larson was re-elected to another term.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the a Democratic Party. The district is based in the state capital, Hartford.
Larson is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
Democratic Caucus of the United States House of Representatives
The House Democratic Caucus nominates and elects the Democratic Party leadership in the United States House of Representatives. The group is composed of all Democratic Representatives in the House...
.
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 SchoolEast Hartford High School
East Hartford High School is the public high school of East Hartford, Connecticut, along with its next-door neighbor, Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy , a college-preparatory high school for grades 9-12. East Hartford High is notably diverse for a suburban school, having a 34% black,...
and Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University is a state university in New Britain, Connecticut, United States.The school was moved to its present campus in 1922...
. He worked as a high school history teacher and an assistant athletics coach at George J. Penney High School (later Penney High merged with East Hartford High School). Larson was also 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
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy by the Head Start Program founder, Edward Zigler.
Larson began his political career 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.
Connecticut Senate
In 1982, Larson was elected to the Connecticut SenateConnecticut Senate
The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The state senate comprises 36 members, each representing a district with around 94,600 inhabitants. Senators are elected to two-year terms without term limits...
from the 3rd district, based in East Hartford. He served six terms in that body, the last four as president pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Ways and MeansUnited States House Committee on Ways and MeansThe Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
- Subcommittee on OversightUnited States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on OversightThe House Way and Means Subcommittee on Oversight is one of the six subcommittees within the House Ways and Means Committee-Jurisdiction:From the House Rules:...
- Subcommittee on Select Revenue MeasuresUnited States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue MeasuresThe Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measure is a subcommittee of the Committee on Ways and Means in the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:From the House rules:...
- Subcommittee on Oversight
- Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global WarmingUnited States House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global WarmingThe House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was a select committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was established March 8, 2007 through adoption of a resolution by a 269–150 vote of the full House...
Party leadership and caucus memberships
- Democratic Caucus ChairmanDemocratic Caucus Chairman of the United States House of RepresentativesThe following is a list of members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have served as chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Chairs are currently limited to two consecutive terms.-Source:*...
, the fourth-ranking position among House Democrats - Congressional Shellfish Caucus (Co-Chair)
- House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition (Co-Chair)
Larson is a member of the New Democrat Coalition
New Democrat Coalition
The New Democrat Coalition is a Congressional Member Organization within the United States Congress made up of Democrats who support an agenda that the organization describes as moderate and pro-growth. A July 2009 Press release described the organization as "the largest moderate coalition in the U.S...
. On February 1, 2006 he was elected Vice Chair
Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman of the United States House of Representatives
The Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the United States House of Representatives is a leadership position that ranks just below the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. In addition to other duties, the Vice-Chair has a seat on the Steering and Policy Committee.The office of Secretary of the...
of the House Democratic Caucus. The previous vice chairman, Jim Clyburn
Jim Clyburn
James Enos "Jim" Clyburn is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993, and the Assistant Democratic Leader since 2011. He was previously House Majority Whip, serving in that post from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, moved up to chairman when Bob Menendez was appointed to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. After the Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006, Larson opted not to run for caucus chairman—a post that went to former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
chairman Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Israel Emanuel is an American politician and the 55th and current Mayor of Chicago. He was formerly White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama...
, instead running unopposed for re-election as vice chairman. After being re-elected in 2008
United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut, 2008
The 2008 congressional elections in Connecticut were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state of Connecticut in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential election...
, Larson was elected chairman of the Caucus for the 111th Congress, after Emanuel was named White House Chief of Staff
White House Chief of Staff
The White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President.The current White House Chief of Staff is Bill Daley.-History:...
.
On March 5, 2009, Larson introduced a bill entitled "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the United States domestic energy supply" in an effort to begin a national tax on carbon dioxide emissions.
Political campaigns
In 1994, Larson left the state senate and sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Connecticut but was defeated by Bill CurryBill Curry (politician)
William E. Curry, Jr. has been a two-time Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut and a White House advisor in the administration of Bill Clinton.-Education and early political life:...
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 Rappaport in the Democratic primary for the 1st District when 17-year incumbent Barbara Kennelly gave up the seat to run for governor in 1998. This was tantamount to election in this heavily Democratic district. He has been reelected six times with no substantive opposition.
2010
Larson was challenged by Republican nominee Ann BrickleyAnn Brickley
Ann Brickley was a 2010 candidate for U.S. Representative from Connecticut's First District. Brickley owns and operates Sage & Swift, a business consulting firm.-Early life, education and career:...
, Green Party nominee Kenneth J. Krayeske, and Socialist Action nominee Christopher J. Hutchinson. Larson was re-elected to another term.
Personal life
Larson married Leslie Best, one of his former students from his high school teaching days at George J. Penney High School (now East Hartford High School). They now have three children and reside in East Hartford.External links
- Congressman John B. Larson official U.S. House site
- John B. Larson for Congress official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...