James Langevin Bio
James R. Langevin (born April 22, 1964) is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party. He served as the United States Representative for Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district from 2001 to 2023. Langevin is widely recognized as the first quadriplegic to serve in Congress, and in 2019 he was appointed the first quadriplegic Speaker pro Tempore of the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his career, he has been a leading voice on disability policy, stem cell research, and cybersecurity.
Early Life and Background
James R. Langevin was born in Providence, Rhode Island, to Richard Langevin and Judy (Barrett) Langevin. He is of French-Canadian descent and grew up in Rhode Island, where he attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhode Island College, where he also served as president of Student Community Government, Inc. He later obtained a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.
In 1980, at age 16, Langevin was seriously injured in an accidental shooting. While participating in the Boy Scout Explorer program at the Warwick Police Department, a firearm was accidentally discharged, leaving him paralyzed. Following the incident, he received a $2.2 million settlement with the city of Warwick. Despite the challenges that came with his injury, Langevin remained committed to public service and completed his higher education.
Path to U.S. Politics
Langevin’s first step into politics came in 1986, when he was elected to Rhode Island’s state constitutional convention and was named its secretary. Two years later, in 1988, he won election to the Rhode Island General Assembly, where he served as a state representative until 1994. His work in the state legislature helped him build a reputation as a thoughtful and determined public servant.
In November 1994, Langevin was elected Secretary of State of Rhode Island, defeating Republican incumbent Barbara Leonard. During his time as Secretary of State, he earned a reputation for weeding out corruption in state government and for modernizing the office. He once ran on the slogan “I’ll stand up for you,” a phrase that reflected his commitment to serving Rhode Islanders despite using a wheelchair.
James Langevin Career
Early Career (1986–2000)
Langevin’s early political career spanned both the legislative and executive branches of Rhode Island state government. After serving in the Rhode Island General Assembly, he was elected Secretary of State in 1994. His tenure as Secretary of State established him as a reform-minded leader dedicated to clean government and public accountability.
By 2000, Langevin had become a well-known figure in Rhode Island politics, and he successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives. That year, he defeated perennial candidate Robert Tingle for a seat that was left open when Representative Robert Weygand ran for the U.S. Senate. He took office in January 2001, beginning what would become more than two decades of service in Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives (2001–2023)
During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, James R. Langevin represented Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district and became a respected voice on a wide range of policy issues. He served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and he co-chaired the House Cybersecurity Caucus, which he helped found. Langevin also appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss the national security challenges facing the United States in protecting critical infrastructure and data.
Langevin was reelected multiple times with relative ease, defeating independent Rodney Driver in 2006 and Republican Mark Zaccaria in 2008 and again in 2010. In 2012, he was reelected with 55.7% of the vote, defeating Republican nominee Michael Riley and Independent Abel Collins. He voted with President Joe Biden’s stated position 100% of the time during the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.
Speaker pro Tempore and Later Years (2019–2023)
In 2019, James R. Langevin was appointed the first quadriplegic Speaker pro Tempore of the U.S. House of Representatives, a historic milestone reflecting both his seniority and his standing among his colleagues. Earlier, on July 26, 2010, he had become the first member of Congress to preside over the House while using a wheelchair, following the installation of a wheelchair lift leading up to the Speaker’s rostrum.
Langevin chose not to seek reelection in 2022, concluding more than two decades of service in Congress at the end of that term. His tenure left a lasting mark on national policy conversations, particularly in the areas of disability rights, healthcare, defense, and cybersecurity.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant moments of Langevin’s career came on July 26, 2010, when he became the first member of Congress to preside over the U.S. House of Representatives while using a wheelchair. In 2019, he was appointed as the first quadriplegic Speaker pro Tempore of the House. He also spoke to the Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2004, largely on the subject of stem cell research.
James Langevin Career Wins
James R. Langevin built a long and steady record of electoral success during his time in Rhode Island state politics and in the United States Congress. He won his first race for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000 and went on to win reelection multiple times, often by comfortable margins.
U.S. House of Representatives Highlights
Langevin was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2000, defeating perennial candidate Robert Tingle. He was reelected with relative ease in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, demonstrating consistent support among the voters of Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district. In 2012, he secured 55.7% of the vote against Republican nominee Michael Riley and Independent Abel Collins.
Other Wins and Achievements
Before his time in Congress, Langevin won election to the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1988 and served as a state representative until 1994. He was elected Secretary of State of Rhode Island in November 1994, defeating Republican incumbent Barbara Leonard. He also played a key role in the passage of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act provisions, which were included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 and signed into law by President Barack Obama.
James Langevin Family
Family Background
James R. Langevin was born to Richard Langevin and Judy (Barrett) Langevin in Providence, Rhode Island. He is of French-Canadian descent and grew up in Rhode Island, where he developed a strong commitment to public service that would shape his entire career.
Personal Life
James R. Langevin is a practicing Roman Catholic. Since 1980, he has lived as a quadriplegic following an accidental shooting at age 16, an experience that has shaped his lifelong advocacy for people with disabilities, universal health care, and stem cell research.