John B. Larson (born July 22, 1948), a Democrat, has represented Connecticut's 1st congressional district—centered in Hartford—since 1999, and he notably chaired the House Democratic Caucus. Rising from a public housing upbringing in East Hartford, Larson worked as a history teacher and insurance agency co-owner before serving in the Connecticut State Senate from 1982 to 1994, where he became president pro tempore, and losing a 1994 gubernatorial primary. He won his House seat in 1998 by narrowly defeating Miles Rapoport in the primary and was re-elected eleven times without serious opposition, eventually becoming caucus chair after the 2008 elections. In office, he focused on energy and environmental legislation, cosponsoring the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to promote renewable fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Facing serious primary challenges in 2026 due to concerns over his age and a complex partial seizure he suffered on the House floor in February 2025, Larson lost the Democratic endorsement in May and ultimately the August 11, 2026 primary to former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin. This decisive defeat ended his long congressional career, marking a significant generational shift for the district.