Rick Larsen
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox officeholder Richard Ray Larsen (born June 15, 1965) is an American politician serving as the United States representative for Template:Ushr since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Larsen is the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Early life, education and career
Larsen was born and raised in Arlington, Washington, and graduated from Arlington High School. He played youth soccer and was later a ball boy for the original Seattle Sounders.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Larsen attended Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Minnesota, earning a master's degree in public affairs. He formerly worked as director of public affairs for the Washington State Dental Association and as a lobbyist for the dental profession.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Ranking Member)
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Equality Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Black Maternal Health Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- U.S.-China Working Group
- School Safety Caucus
- Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine
- Congressional Arts Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- U.S.-Japan Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Congressional Solar Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- New Democrat Coalition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- APEC Caucus (Co-chair)
- Congressional Arctic Working Group (Co-chair)
- Soccer Caucus (Co-chair)
Political positions
In 2006, CQPolitics wrote:
Larsen, a member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in the House, has carved an image as a moderate that appeals to crucial swing voters in the politically competitive coastal district in the northwestern corner of Washington State. He still maintains support from centers surrounding the port cities of Everett and Bellingham.
In 2005, The American Prospect characterized Washington's 2nd congressional district as "traditionally Democratic" and contrasted that with Larsen's voting record at the time:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Larsen won this traditionally Democratic district last year almost 2 to 1. Yet Larsen's voting record doesn't reflect these numbers: He voted in favor of the bankruptcy bill crafted by the credit-card industry, the Bush administration's estate-tax repeal, and the tort "reform" bill supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce limiting the right to sue.
Larsen sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and formerly sat on the Armed Services Committee.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has raised $1.26 million from political action committees affiliated with the transportation industry and $560,000 from political action committees affiliated with the defense industry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Larsen voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Abortion
Planned Parenthood, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association and NARAL Pro-Choice America have all highly rated Larsen's position on abortion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has voted against several bills that would restrict abortion rights.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, Larsen reaffirmed his support for abortion rights and their protections under Roe v. Wade, saying he would "continue to stand with women and advocates in Washington state and across the country to ensure a woman’s right to access safe reproductive health care."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Environment
Larsen voted for the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> known as "cap and trade". He has cosponsored legislation that would create the Wild Sky Wilderness area in his home district<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is a member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus.
On February 8, 2019, Larsen came out in opposition to the Green New Deal, saying:<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>
I am not ready to support the Green New Deal resolution. It is difficult to support the resolution right now when one of the lead sponsors says one of the intentions is to make air travel unnecessary.
In 2020, Fuse Washington in its Progressive Voters Guide noted that Larsen does not support the Green New Deal and accepted political contributions from corporations including ExxonMobil "as recently as last year".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Healthcare reform
Larsen has supported the House Democratic proposal for the Affordable Care Act.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He voted for the reform bill in November 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Larsen does not support single-payer health insurance. He has said he "thought it was more appropriate to stick with defending Obamacare, not to change in the middle of the controversy".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Larsen opposes Medicare for All and has said he supports the Public Option Deficit Reduction Act<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as an alternative.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This proposal adds a public option to the Affordable Care Act using the same market-based exchanges while lowering premiums by only five to seven percent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Impeachment
In 2007, Larsen opposed impeaching President George W. Bush, saying, "I believe the American people elected a Democratic majority to make positive changes in their lives. If we took up impeachment, we would do nothing else for the next 2 years. I don't think that's what we were elected to do".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Larsen supported impeaching President Donald J. Trump on July 18, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web July 18, 2019</ref>
Iraq War
Although Larsen initially voted against a bill authorizing military force in Iraq in October 2002, he also voted against an amendment that sought to have the United States work through the United Nations to resolve tensions instead of invading Iraq.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006, Larsen voted against requiring Congressional authorization for use of force in Iran,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in 2011 he voted for use of force in Libya.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since 2002, Larsen has voted for nearly every bill put forth in the House concerning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer described Larsen as a "strong advocate for providing money to support the [Iraq War]".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2006, Larsen voted to endorse the War in Iraq and against a mandated withdrawal plan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, he said that troops would be in Iraq "well into the next administration" and likely remain "for another 10 years".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Larsen supported President Obama's proposed exit strategy, which promised to remove combat troops by summer of 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Labor
Larsen voted for the S-Miner Act and Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits and Providing Business and Homebuyer Tax Credits bill.<ref name="votesmart1"/> He showed support for the interests of the Utility Workers Union of America, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, and AFL–CIO.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He claims to support Washington State's economy by investing in small- to medium-size businesses to help them succeed in the global economy.<ref name="votesmart1" />
In January 2014, Larsen faced criticism from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for supporting Boeing's proposal to replace pensions with a 401(k)-style retirement plan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transportation
As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen has voted for every transportation bill since being reelected in 2008.<ref name="votesmart1">Template:Cite web</ref> He believes that "sound investments in transportation keep our economy moving" and improve conditions in other areas.<ref name="votesmart1" /> Larsen was one of 79 cosponsors of the SAFETEA-LU bill to improve highways, increase funding for ferry systems, and expedite the flow of traffic and goods through border crossings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Political campaigns
2006
Larsen defeated Republican Doug Roulstone, a retired Navy officer from Snohomish, with 65% of the vote to Roulstone's 34%.
2008
Larsen was challenged in the Democratic primary during his 2008 reelection campaign by perennial candidate Glen Johnson. His Republican opponent for the House race was recently retired Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart.
For the 2008 election cycle, Larsen's campaign's total income was $1,336,438.<ref name="votesmart3">Template:Cite web</ref> His campaign spent $1,155,691.<ref name="votesmart3"/> The companies that contributed the most money were Boeing Co., Microsoft Corp., American Dental Assn., McBee Strategic Consulting, and Puget Energy.<ref name="votesmart3"/> The labor, finance/insurance/real estate, transportation, misc. business, and health sectors were the largest contributing sectors.<ref name="votesmart3"/> The major industry donations came from health professionals, transportation unions, building trade unions, retired, and sea transport.<ref name="votesmart3"/>
2010
Larsen narrowly defeated Republican nominee John Koster to win a sixth term.
Larsen was endorsed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on October 13, 2010.<ref>PI.com: Larsen deserves re-election, editorial board, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 13, 2010</ref>
2012
In 2012, Larsen won reelection with 61% of the vote to Republican nominee Dan Matthews's 39%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016
Larsen was challenged by Republican Marc Hennemann. Hennemann decided to challenge Larsen after receiving an answer he disliked to a question at a town hall meeting in Coupeville.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Larsen defeated Hennemann, 64% to 36%.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Electoral history
Personal life
Larsen married Tiia Ingrid Karlen in 1994. They have two children.
References
External links
- Congressman Rick Larsen official U.S. House website
- Rick Larsen for Congress
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- 1965 births
- 21st-century United States representatives
- American Methodists
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Washington (state)
- Humphrey School of Public Affairs alumni
- Living people
- Methodists from Washington (state)
- Pacific Lutheran University alumni
- People from Arlington, Washington
- Protestants from Washington (state)
- Snohomish County Councillors