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Chris Larson

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For other people named Chris Larson, see Chris Larson (disambiguation).
Chris Larson
Larson in 2011
Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 5, 2015
Preceded byScott L. Fitzgerald
Succeeded byJennifer Shilling
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byJeffrey Plale
Milwaukee County Supervisor
In office
2009–2011
Personal details
Born (1980-11-12) November 12, 1980 (age 44)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJessica Brumm
Children2
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (BA)
OccupationLegislator, business manager
WebsiteCampaign website
Official website

Christopher J. Larson (born November 12, 1980) is an American Democratic politician and a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing southeast Milwaukee County since 2011. He was Senate minority leader from 2013 through 2014,[1][2] and currently serves as Senate Democratic caucus chair.

Early life and career

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Larson was born and raised in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He graduated from Thomas More High School in 1999 and earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with a minor in political science. Before entering politics, Larson was a business manager.[3]

Brushes with the law

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When Larson was a 19-year-old freshman at UW–Milwaukee, he was arrested for shoplifting from a supermarket and received a $331 municipal citation, which was later dropped after Larson took a court-ordered class.[4]

Four years later, he was illegally parked in a tow-away zone on Milwaukee's east side. When a tow truck arrived and the driver attached Larson's car to it. Larson sprinted out of a nearby house, "yelling and screaming" wildly at the driver. When that driver refused to release his car, Larson climbed inside and then "rode along all the way to the tow yard" while beeping "the car horn continuously." Once they arrived, he refused to get out of his car until lot employees called police. He was cited for disorderly conduct, but the ticket was eventually dropped.[5][6]

Political career

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Larson in 2010

Milwaukee County politics

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In April 2008, Larson was elected Milwaukee County Supervisor on a platform of improving public transportation, parks and education.[7]

As supervisor, he supported economic development efforts near the Milwaukee airport, participated in a coalition to save the Hoan Bridge from destruction and authored legislation to enhance public parks.[8][9][10]

In November 2019, Larson announced he would run for Milwaukee County Executive after incumbent Chris Abele announced he would not seek re-election.[1] Larson came in first in the non-partisan primary but was defeated in the April 13 general election.[11][12]

Wisconsin Senate

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On September 14, 2010, Larson defeated incumbent Senator Jeffrey Plale in the Wisconsin state senate primary election and defeated Republican Jesse Ripp in the general election on November 2, 2010, becoming the youngest member of the senate.[13][14][15] In 2013, Larson was elected Senate Minority Leader.[16]

Larson represents the cities of Cudahy, South Milwaukee, St. Francis, Franklin, Oak Creek and Milwaukee.[17]

Following Democrats poor showing in 2014 elections, Larson resigned as Senate Minority Leader on November 11, 2014.[18]

Larson was re-elected to the Wisconsin Senate for a fourth term in November 2022.[19]

2011 Wisconsin protests

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See also: 2011 Wisconsin protests
Larson at the protest on March 12, 2011
Larson and State Senator Lena Taylor at speaking at the protest at the Wisconsin State Capitol on March 13, 2011

During the protests in Wisconsin, Larson, along with the 13 other Democratic state senators, left the state to deny the state senate a quorum on Governor Scott Walker's controversial "Budget Repair" legislation. All 14 state senators later returned on March 12.[20]

Legislative positions

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For the 2021-2022 legislative session, Senator Larson's priorities include COVID-19, public education, cannabis legalization, fair legislative maps, voting rights, environmental protection, healthcare expansion, and criminal justice reform.

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, funding for local public schools was cut by $1.6 billion,[21] and during the 2013-2014 session 50% of Wisconsin school districts received less state money than they did under the previous session.[22] Larson supported initiatives to fully restore funding for local public schools.[23][24]

In February 2013, Democrats introduced a package of six jobs bills, which included funding for technical colleges and required state agencies, as well as state and local governments, to buy from Wisconsin businesses.[25]

Larson fought to accept federal health care money through the Affordable Care Act to strengthen Wisconsin's BadgerCare program[26][27] since, according to Wisconsin's nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, strengthening BadgerCare would expand health care coverage to 85,000 more Wisconsinites, save the state $119 million over the biennium, and create over 10,000 Wisconsin jobs.[28][29]

Larson and his Democratic colleagues all signed on to a proposed constitutional amendment (2013 SJR 74) to reverse Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage.[30] Larson co-sponsored legislation to reinstate laws to prevent workplace discrimination against women, which had been removed from Wisconsin statutes during the 2011-12 legislative session.[31]

Larson introduced legislative proposals during the 2013-2014 Legislative Session to reform Wisconsin's jobs agency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which has seen numerous scandals since it was created in 2011, including losing track of $56 million in loans, misuse of taxpayer funds, exaggerated jobs claims, and lack of basic oversight, according to a national report by Good Jobs First.[32]

During the 2015-16 legislative session, Larson introduced numerous proposals aimed at improving public schools. For instance, Larson co-authored a proposal to implement and invest in the community schools model, which provides wraparound services for students, such as providing access to health care and a healthy diet. He introduced legislation to give schools support to provide services for students with disabilities.[33]

In early 2016, Larson and a group of environmental advocates and organizations led a fight against a bill that would have made it easier for Wisconsin water utility systems to be taken over by non-Wisconsin, for-profit companies and corporations.[34] After intense public outrage, the bill was not scheduled for a vote in the Senate and failed to become law. The lead poisoning of families in Flint Michigan galvanized opposition to water privatization in Wisconsin.[35]

For 2020, some of Larson's main legislative issues include public education in Milwaukee, addressing climate change issues, tackling lawmaker corruption,[36] improving access to senior care, and improving infrastructure in areas such as childcare[37] and public transportation.[38] In 2019, Larson has also called for increased regulation of trampoline parks and other amusement parks, which have seen an increase in the number of children injured.[39]

2022 U.S. Senate campaign

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Main article: 2022 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

Larson was briefly a candidate for United States Senate in 2021. He announced his candidacy on May 26, 2021,[40] but withdrew from the Democratic primary on August 3, 2021, endorsing fellow Milwaukeean Mandela Barnes.[41]

Personal life

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Larson lives in Bay View with his wife, Jessica, and their two children.[42][43]

Larson is a member of the League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Bay View Historical Society, Bay View Lions Club, and Arbor Day Foundation.[44]

References

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  1. ^ a b "State Sen. Chris Larson announces his candidacy for Milwaukee County executive". FOX6 Milwaukee. FOX Television Stations. November 18, 2019. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  2. ^ Bice, Daniel (April 13, 2020). "State Rep. David Crowley edges state Sen. Chris Larson for Milwaukee County exec". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  3. ^ Wisconsin State Blue Book 2013-2014. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2013. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-9752820-6-9. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  4. ^ Bice, Daniel (March 16, 2008). "Candidate's old shoplifting bust surfaces". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  5. ^ Murphy, Bruce (November 27, 2012). "Murphy's Law: The Rise of Chris Larson". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "Chris Larson is Unfit to Lead Milwaukee County". News/Talk - 1130 WISN. February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  7. ^ "Wisconsin 7th State Senate District Q & A". Bay View Compass. August 30, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  8. ^ BizTimes Staff (October 5, 2010). "Milwaukee's Aerotropolis project moves forward". BizTimes Milwaukee Business News. BizTimes Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  9. ^ Hissom, Doug (August 7, 2009). "South Side coalition seeks to save the Hoan Bridge". OnMilwaukee. OnMilwaukee, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  10. ^ "Special Meeting of the Parks, Energy and Environment Committee" (PDF). Milwaukee County Government. February 3, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 8, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Glauber, Bill; Dirr, Alison (February 18, 2020). "Chris Larson, David Crowley advance to April 7 election in Milwaukee County executive race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. USA Today Network. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  12. ^ Bice, Daniel (April 14, 2020). "State Sen. Chris Larson concedes to Rep. David Crowley in the Milwaukee County exec's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  13. ^ Stein, Jason (September 14, 2010). "Larson unseats Plale in state Senate race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett. Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  14. ^ Stein, Jason; Johnson, Annysa (November 2, 2010). "Republicans take over state Senate, Assembly". The Journal Sentinel. USA Today Network. Archived from the original on 2010-11-06. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  15. ^ Tolan, Tom (November 2, 2010). "Larson wins 7th Senate District race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. USA Today Network. Archived from the original on 2017-02-27. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  16. ^ State of Wisconsin 2013-2014 blue book. Madison: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2013. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-9752820-6-9. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States - Statistical Atlas". Statistical Atlas. Cedar Lake Ventures, Inc. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  18. ^ Jason, Stein. "Chris Larson to step down as leader of Wisconsin Senate Democrats". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Chris Larson". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on 2014-07-26. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  20. ^ "Democratic senators return to Madison to tell crowd fight isn't over". archive.jsonline.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  21. ^ DeFour, Matthew (January 27, 2013). "Cash-strapped Wisconsin school districts brace for Walker's second budget proposal". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  22. ^ "13-14 July 1 Estimate vs. 12-13 Final Aid Eligibility" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Web Site. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  23. ^ "Senate Amendment 2 to 2011 Assembly Bill 40". Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  24. ^ "Senate Amendment 9 to Assembly Bill 40". Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  25. ^ Sexton, Riley (September 26, 2013). "Walker announces $100M workforce development plan". The Badger Herald. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  26. ^ "Senate Amendment 10 to Assembly Bill 40". Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  27. ^ "Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to 2013 Assembly Bill 1". Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  28. ^ Wahlberg, David (May 29, 2013). "Full Medicaid expansion would save money and cover more, fiscal bureau says". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  29. ^ Tighe, Mike (February 5, 2013). "Area lawmakers implore Walker to expand BadgerCare". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  30. ^ "2013 Senate Joint Resolution 74". Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  31. ^ "2013 Senate Bill 143". Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  32. ^ Stein, Jason (November 30, 2012). "Neglected WEDC taxpayer-financed loans grow to $12.2 million". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  33. ^ "Wisconsin State Legislature Website". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  34. ^ Vernburg, Steven. "Bill to ease sales of water supplies into private hands sparks clash". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  35. ^ "From Flint to Madison: Our Water is Under Attack". Overpass Light Brigade. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  36. ^ "'This is an invitation to corruption:' Wisconsin state lawmakers exempt themselves from open records rules". FOX6. November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  37. ^ Brostoff, Jonathan (November 25, 2019). "Rep. Brostoff, Rep. Crowley, and Sen. Larson Introduce Legislation to Ensure Gender Parity and Greater Access to Baby Changing Tables in Wisconsin". FOX6. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  38. ^ Chris Larson - legislative issues
  39. ^ Miston, Bill (December 23, 2019). "'Our daughter couldn't walk:' State lawmaker pushes for regulation of trampoline parks after injury". FOX6. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  40. ^ Larson, Chris [@ChrisJLarson] (May 26, 2021). "I'm running for U.S. Senate because everyone, no matter their ZIP code, deserves a fair shot at the American dream" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Glauber, Bill; Marley, Patrick (August 3, 2021). "Chris Larson suspends Democratic U.S. Senate campaign, endorses Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  42. ^ "Chris Larson - It's a girl!". Facebook.com. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  43. ^ "In politics marathon, Larson likes the underdog role". Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  44. ^ State of Wisconsin Blue Book. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2013. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-975-2820-6-9. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
[edit]
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 7th district
2011–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
2013–2015 		Succeeded by
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