Q: How many members of Congress are longtime members of more than 20 or 30 years? Can you tell us which political party has the longest list of “career politicians,” and also who might be some of the longest-serving members?
–Leon E. Collins, Stone Mountain
A: It’s not uncommon for members of both parties to hold their seats for multiple decades.
In the U.S. House, Michigan Democrat John Conyers has the title of longest-serving current representative. First sworn into Congress in 1965, Conyers has 52 years of seniority. Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young comes in second, having taken office 44 years ago.
In all, 72 current members of the House have served at least 20 years – 46 are Democrats and 26 are Republicans. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have each served for more than 30 years.
In the Senate, 16 members have served for at least 20 years, including the longest-serving current senator, Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont with 42 years. Utah Republican Orrin Hatch is a close second at 40 years.
However, 12 more senators join the ranks of the 20-plus club, because they came to the Senate after serving in the House.
In all, 15 current Republican senators, 12 Democrats and Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, who ran as a Democrat in the 2016 presidential primary, have served for at least 20 years. Republicans of note include Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky (32 years) and Arizona’s John McCain (34 years, including House). Democrats include New York’s Chuck Schumer (36 years total) and California’s Dianne Feinstein (25 years).
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Keith Still contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
About the Author
