Chris Larson

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.{{cite book|title=Wisconsin State Blue Book 2013-2014|date=2013|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|location=Madison, WI|isbn=978-0-9752820-6-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/stateofwisconsin0000unse/page/32 32]|url=https://archive.org/details/stateofwisconsin0000unse/page/32|access-date=2014-07-23}}

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.{{cite web |last=Bice |first=Daniel |date=March 16, 2008 |title=Candidate's old shoplifting bust surfaces |url=http://m.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29487144.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311065613/http://m.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29487144.html |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |accessdate=February 26, 2017 |website= |publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

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.{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Bruce |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Murphy's Law: The Rise of Chris Larson |url=http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2012/11/27/murphys-law-the-rise-of-chris-larson |accessdate=February 26, 2017 |website=Urban Milwaukee}}{{cite web |date=February 17, 2016 |title=Chris Larson is Unfit to Lead Milwaukee County |url=http://newstalk1130.iheart.com/onair/common-sense-central-37717/chris-larson-is-unfit-to-lead-14028767 |accessdate=February 27, 2017 |website=News/Talk - 1130 WISN}}

File:Chris Larson 2010 (1).jpg

In April 2008, Larson was elected Milwaukee County Supervisor on a platform of improving public transportation, parks and education.{{cite news |date=August 30, 2010 |title=Wisconsin 7th State Senate District Q & A |url=http://bayviewcompass.com/wisconsin-7th-state-senate-district |accessdate=August 6, 2014 |work=Bay View Compass}}

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.{{cite news|last=BizTimes Staff|date=October 5, 2010|title=Milwaukee's Aerotropolis project moves forward|work=BizTimes Milwaukee Business News|publisher=BizTimes Media, LLC|url=https://biztimes.com/milwaukees-aerotropolis-project-moves-forward/|access-date=April 15, 2021}}{{cite news|last=Hissom|first=Doug|date=August 7, 2009|title=South Side coalition seeks to save the Hoan Bridge|work=OnMilwaukee|publisher=OnMilwaukee, LLC|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/hoanbridgepolitics.html|access-date=April 15, 2021}}{{cite web|date=February 3, 2010|title=Special Meeting of the Parks, Energy and Environment Committee|url=http://www.milwaukeecounty.org/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntySupervisors/cntybrdstandingcommittees/PEE/2010/RM020310Special.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051206/http://www.milwaukeecounty.org/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntySupervisors/cntybrdstandingcommittees/PEE/2010/RM020310Special.pdf|archive-date=August 8, 2014|access-date=April 15, 2021|publisher=Milwaukee County Government}}

In November 2019, Larson announced he would run for Milwaukee County Executive after incumbent Chris Abele announced he would not seek re-election. Larson came in first in the non-partisan primary but was defeated in the April 13 general election.{{cite news |last1=Glauber |first1=Bill |last2=Dirr |first2=Alison |date=February 18, 2020 |title=Chris Larson, David Crowley advance to April 7 election in Milwaukee County executive race |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/18/chris-larson-david-crowley-purnima-nath-theodore-lipscomb-sr/4790289002/ |access-date=April 15, 2021 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |publisher=USA Today Network |publication-date=February 18, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Bice |first=Daniel |date=April 14, 2020 |title=State Sen. Chris Larson concedes to Rep. David Crowley in the Milwaukee County exec's race |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/04/14/milwaukee-elections-larson-concedes-crowley-county-executive/2990129001/ |accessdate=April 15, 2020 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

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.{{Cite web|last=Stein|first=Jason|date=September 14, 2010|title=Larson unseats Plale in state Senate race|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/102929649.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918221314/http://www.jsonline.com:80/news/statepolitics/102929649.html |access-date=April 15, 2021|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|publisher=Gannett|language=en|archive-date=2010-09-18 }}{{Cite web|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|last2=Johnson|first2=Annysa|date=November 2, 2010|title=Republicans take over state Senate, Assembly|url=https://jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106582898.html/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106041225/http://www.jsonline.com:80/news/statepolitics/106582898.html |access-date=April 15, 2021|website=The Journal Sentinel|publisher=USA Today Network|archive-date=2010-11-06 }}{{Cite web|last=Tolan|first=Tom|date=November 2, 2010|title=Larson wins 7th Senate District race|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106582018.html/|url-status=live|access-date=April 15, 2021|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|publisher=USA Today Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062344/http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106582018.html |archive-date=2017-02-27 }} In 2013, Larson was elected Senate Minority Leader.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/stateofwisconsin0000unse|title=State of Wisconsin 2013-2014 blue book|date=2013|location=Madison |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|isbn=978-0-9752820-6-9|page=32|access-date=April 15, 2021}}

Larson represents the cities of Cudahy, South Milwaukee, St. Francis, Franklin, Oak Creek and Milwaukee.{{Cite web|title=The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States - Statistical Atlas|url=https://statisticalatlas.com/state-upper-legislative-district/Wisconsin/State-Senate-District-7/Overview|url-status=live|access-date=April 15, 2021|website=Statistical Atlas|publisher=Cedar Lake Ventures, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416001609/https://statisticalatlas.com/state-upper-legislative-district/Wisconsin/State-Senate-District-7/Overview |archive-date=2021-04-16 }}

Following Democrats poor showing in 2014 elections, Larson resigned as Senate Minority Leader on November 11, 2014.{{cite news|last1=Jason|first1=Stein|title=Chris Larson to step down as leader of Wisconsin Senate Democrats|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/chris-larson-to-step-down-as-leader-of-wisconsin-senate-democrats-b99388500z1-282279191.html|accessdate=November 11, 2014|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

Larson was re-elected to the Wisconsin Senate for a fourth term in November 2022.{{cite web|title=Chris Larson|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Larson|url-status=live|access-date=April 15, 2021|website=Ballotpedia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726214930/http://ballotpedia.org:80/Chris_Larson |archive-date=2014-07-26 }}

{{See also|2011 Wisconsin protests}}

File:Protest 0154 (50939941561).jpg

File:Protest 0166 (50939943446).jpg 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.{{Cite web |title=Democratic senators return to Madison to tell crowd fight isn't over |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117862214.html |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=archive.jsonline.com}}

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,{{cite news|last1=DeFour|first1=Matthew|title=Cash-strapped Wisconsin school districts brace for Walker's second budget proposal|url=http://host.madison.com/news/local/education/local_schools/cash-strapped-wisconsin-school-districts-brace-for-walker-s-second/article_3c360eee-6731-11e2-87ed-001a4bcf887a.html|accessdate=August 7, 2014|publisher=Wisconsin State Journal|date=January 27, 2013}} and during the 2013-2014 session 50% of Wisconsin school districts received less state money than they did under the previous session.{{cite web|title=13-14 July 1 Estimate vs. 12-13 Final Aid Eligibility|url=http://sfs.dpi.wi.gov/files/sfs/Jul_over_PY_Final_alpha.pdf|website=State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction|accessdate=August 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812184240/http://sfs.dpi.wi.gov/files/sfs/Jul_over_PY_Final_alpha.pdf|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=dead}} Larson supported initiatives to fully restore funding for local public schools.{{cite web|title=Senate Amendment 2 to 2011 Assembly Bill 40|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/amendments/ab40/sa2_ab40|website=Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=August 7, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Senate Amendment 9 to Assembly Bill 40|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/amendments/ab40/sa9_ab40|website=Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=August 7, 2014}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Sexton|first1=Riley|title=Walker announces $100M workforce development plan|url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2013/09/26/walker-announces-100m-workforce-development-plan/#.U_ImK_ldUwo|accessdate=August 18, 2014|publisher=The Badger Herald|date=September 26, 2013}}

Larson fought to accept federal health care money through the Affordable Care Act to strengthen Wisconsin's BadgerCare program{{cite web|title=Senate Amendment 10 to Assembly Bill 40|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/amendments/ab40/sa10_ab40|website=Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=August 7, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to 2013 Assembly Bill 1|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/amendments/de3_ab1/de3_ssa1_ab1|website=Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=August 7, 2014}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Wahlberg|first1=David|title=Full Medicaid expansion would save money and cover more, fiscal bureau says|url=http://host.madison.com/news/local/full-medicaid-expansion-would-save-money-and-cover-more-fiscal/article_c1509b5f-f213-5c8a-b281-5575fb7b1e50.html|accessdate=August 7, 2014|publisher=Wisconsin State Journal|date=May 29, 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Tighe|first1=Mike|title=Area lawmakers implore Walker to expand BadgerCare|url=http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/area-lawmakers-implore-walker-to-expand-badgercare/article_c210304a-6f50-11e2-a11c-0019bb2963f4.html|accessdate=August 7, 2014|publisher=La Crosse Tribune|date=February 5, 2013}}

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.{{cite web|title=2013 Senate Joint Resolution 74|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/proposals/sjr74|website=Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=August 11, 2014}} 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.{{cite web|title=2013 Senate Bill 143|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/proposals/sb143|website=Wisconsin State Legislature Web Site|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=August 12, 2014}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|title=Neglected WEDC taxpayer-financed loans grow to $12.2 million|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/wedc-taxpayerfinanced-loans-that-were-neglected-grow-to-122-million-ck7run2-181603501.html|accessdate=August 18, 2014|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 30, 2012}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/legislators/senate/1208|title=Wisconsin State Legislature Website|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|accessdate=March 25, 2016}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Vernburg|first1=Steven|title=Bill to ease sales of water supplies into private hands sparks clash|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/bill-to-ease-sales-of-water-supplies-into-private-hands/article_d811c1cb-1ed9-5868-b707-02400d8a1940.html|publisher=Wisconsin State Journal|accessdate=March 25, 2016}} 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.{{cite web|title=From Flint to Madison: Our Water is Under Attack|url=http://overpasslightbrigade.org/from-flint-to-madison-our-water-is-under-attack|publisher=Overpass Light Brigade|accessdate=March 25, 2016}}

For 2020, some of Larson's main legislative issues include public education in Milwaukee, addressing climate change issues, tackling lawmaker corruption,{{cite web|url=https://fox6now.com/2018/11/14/this-is-an-invitation-to-corruption-wisconsin-state-lawmakers-exempt-themselves-from-open-records-rules/|title='This is an invitation to corruption:' Wisconsin state lawmakers exempt themselves from open records rules|date=November 18, 2019|website=FOX6|accessdate=January 4, 2019}} improving access to senior care, and improving infrastructure in areas such as childcare{{cite web|url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/rep-brostoff-rep-crowley-and-sen-larson-introduce-legislation-to-ensure-gender-parity-and-greater-access-to-baby-changing-tables-in-wisconsin/|title=Rep. Brostoff, Rep. Crowley, and Sen. Larson Introduce Legislation to Ensure Gender Parity and Greater Access to Baby Changing Tables in Wisconsin|last=Brostoff|first=Jonathan|date=November 25, 2019|website=FOX6|accessdate=January 4, 2019}} and public transportation.[https://voteforlarson.org/#issues Chris Larson - legislative issues] 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.{{cite web|url=https://fox6now.com/2019/12/23/our-daughter-couldnt-walk-wisconsin-lawmaker-pushes-for-regulation-of-trampoline-parks-after-injury/|title='Our daughter couldn't walk:' State lawmaker pushes for regulation of trampoline parks after injury|last=Miston|first=Bill|date=December 23, 2019|website=FOX6|accessdate=January 4, 2019}}

Following President Trump's executive order banning federal funding for any hospital providing gender-affirming care for anyone under 19, Children's Wisconsin Hospital canceled a transgender teenager's appointment to receive hormone therapy. Larson denounced the hospital's decision saying, "Doctors - not politicians should decide what type of care is appropriate for their patients" and called on the hospital to reverse the decision. The next day, the hospital reversed their decision and rescheduled the teenager's appointment.{{cite news |url=https://wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisconsin-milwaukee-hospital-transgender-gender-affirming-care-trump/ |title=Children's Wisconsin hospital reinstates gender-affirming care for trans teen after canceling in wake of Trump's executive order |newspaper=Wisconsin Watch |date=February 6, 2025 |access-date=February 12, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.maciverinstitute.com/news/milwaukee-democratic-lawmakers-object-to-gender-surgery-changes-at-children%E2%80%99s-wisconsin |title=Milwaukee Democratic Lawmakers Object to Gender Surgery Changes at Children's Wisconsin |newspaper=MacIver Institute |date=February 7, 2025 |access-date=February 12, 2025}}

{{main|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,{{cite tweet| last= Larson |first= Chris |user= ChrisJLarson |number= 1397545268644622336 |title= I’m running for U.S. Senate because everyone, no matter their ZIP code, deserves a fair shot at the American dream. |link=https://t.co/jL748PUlaH }} but withdrew from the Democratic primary on August 3, 2021, endorsing fellow Milwaukeean Mandela Barnes.{{cite news|url= https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/08/03/chris-larson-suspends-u-s-senate-campaign-endorses-mandela-barnes/5466859001/ |title= Chris Larson suspends Democratic U.S. Senate campaign, endorses Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes |newspaper= Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date= August 3, 2021 |last1= Glauber |first1= Bill |last2= Marley |first2= Patrick |accessdate= August 3, 2021 }}

Larson lives in Bay View with his wife, Jessica, and their two children.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10102107310110708&se=a.835753117158.2439176.26710833&type=1&theater|title=Chris Larson - It's a girl!|publisher=Facebook.com|accessdate=February 26, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/in-politics-marathon-larson-likes-the-underdog-role-4u8ca7k-186707771.html|title=In politics marathon, Larson likes the underdog role|work=Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel|access-date=2017-05-01}}

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.{{cite book|title=State of Wisconsin Blue Book|date=2013|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|location=Madison, WI|isbn=978-0-975-2820-6-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/stateofwisconsin0000unse/page/32 32]|url=https://archive.org/details/stateofwisconsin0000unse/page/32|accessdate=July 28, 2014}}

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• [https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/07/larson Profile] at the Wisconsin Senate

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Category:1980 births

Category:County supervisors in Wisconsin

Category:Living people

Category:Politicians from Milwaukee

Category:University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee alumni

Category:Democratic Party Wisconsin state senators

Category:21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature