Larry Pemberton Jr. Makes History as Connecticut's First Native American State Legislator

Larry Pemberton Jr. was sworn into the Connecticut House of Representatives on Wednesday, marking a historic milestone as the first Native American elected to the state’s General Assembly, according to state records.

Pemberton, a Democrat representing the 139th House district covering Norwich, Ledyard and Montville, is a member of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. His swearing-in ceremony drew representatives from multiple tribal nations across Connecticut to witness the unprecedented moment.

“It’s an exciting day of celebration,” said Lawrence Wilson III, chairman of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. “We have a tribal member who is an elected representative now here in Hartford in the Norwich district, the first American Indian to occupy one of these seats after so many years.”

The ceremony featured traditional elements including an honor song performed by Native drummers, according to attendees. House Speaker Matt Ritter, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas delivered remarks during the swearing-in.

“You are making history,” Rojas told Pemberton. “Your ancestors were here before there was a state government, and I think that’s really important to acknowledge.”

Wilson noted the broad tribal support for Pemberton’s achievement. “I was very pleased that our tribal family was here, but so were the other state-recognized and federally recognized tribes: Mashantucket and Mohegan, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill joined with us to celebrate the newest addition to this body,” Wilson said.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler also spoke at the ceremony, highlighting the symbolic significance of the moment. “To walk into a building that has a depiction of the burning of a Pequot village, and to stand here on this stage in this moment with a Pequot elected to the office of state representative, it’s historic and monumental,” Butler said.

Following his swearing-in, Pemberton acknowledged the responsibility that comes with his historic position. “I feel like a lot of eyes are on me, and I feel like I’ve got to do good work,” Pemberton said. “My tribal families across the state, we’ve really had no support in here, really, and I think it’s a major move forward for us. I just look forward to doing the work for the 139th District and my tribal families, as well.”

Pemberton assumes the seat previously held by Rep. Kevin Ryan, who died earlier this year. He identified affordability issues as his primary legislative focus moving forward.

Connecticut State Historian Andy Horowitz attended the ceremony to witness what he called a significant historical moment. “I think people have a sense in the United States and in Connecticut that progress can happen on its own, that just because a certain amount of time has passed, a good thing will necessarily come,” Horowitz said. “That’s just not true. The arc of history doesn’t bend on its own.”

Horowitz emphasized the broader significance of Pemberton’s election beyond tribal representation. “Change is possible,” Horowitz said. “This is a centuries-long struggle on behalf of the Pequots and Native people in Connecticut, but also on behalf of the voters of Connecticut to come to have a wider sense of who we are as Connecticut, and to know that it can include elected representatives from the Pequot Tribe and other Native tribes.”

Pemberton’s election represents a breakthrough for Native American political representation in Connecticut, where tribal nations have maintained a presence for centuries but lacked direct representation in the state legislature until now.