Larson to seek a 14th term representing state’s 1st District

HARTFORD — Democrat John Larson will seek a 14th term as the representative for Connecticut’s First Congressional District, a position he has held since 1999, he announced Thursday morning.

Inside the CSEA SEIU Local 2001 headquarters on Capitol Avenue in Hartford, Larson said that he assumed his intentions to run were apparent.

“I thought that was intuitively obvious,” Larson, 75, said. “But I said every year you’d have to make an announcement that you’re running.”

After his brief announcement, Larson then quickly pivoted to a lengthy speech about the importance of Congress stepping up to protect and expand Social Security benefits as more Baby Boomers become eligible.

“Nothing has been in enhanced in more than 50 years,” Larson said, flanked by advocates for retirees. “Richard Nixon was the president of the United States the last time

Congress enhanced benefits.”

Larson’s district includes the state’s capital city, Hartford, as well as other towns in Hartford, Litchfield, and Middlesex counties. A Democrat has represented the district every year since 1957.

Travis Woodward, president of CSEA SEIU Local 2001, joined Larson at his announcement because he said Larson is the loudest voice for retirees.

CSEA SEIU Local 2001 is the largest retiree union in Connecticut with over 12,000 retirees, Woodward

said.

“His mission is not done yet,” Woodward said.

When asked when he would know it was time to stop running for reelection, Larson seemed to indicate it wasn’t any time soon.

“That day will come as every day comes, et cetera,” Larson said. “It certainly is not here today.”

Larson said he thinks the Democrats are poised to take back the House, and then he will likely become chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee.

Emily DiSalvo/Hearst Connecticut Media Rep. John Larson announced Thursday he would seek reelection for the fourteenth time.